Josh is one of Manchester's most sought after arrangers/orchestrators, working with artists from all genres and backgrounds. Whatever setting, ensemble or unique challenge is presented, it is approached as a collaboration between himself and the artist/client.
Over the past 10 years he has worked for major labels including Sony Music and The Ministry of Sound at some of the UK's most iconic recording studios (including London's Abbey Road and RAK Studios) alongside some of the country's top producers, such as Jim Abbiss (Adele, Artic Monkeys, Kasabian). Josh has also worked with several no.1 selling artists including Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott and The Lottery Winners, as well as numerous orchestras including Manchester Camerata, The Ignition Orchestra and The Untold Orchestra.
As a transcriber, Josh prides himself on accuracy. No matter what the ensemble line-up or size, he can accurately depict any record down to the finest detail. Alongside notated sheet music, he can create backing/click track productions so that your performance can incorporate live production elements, as well as original samples or other audio information you may want alongside the transcribed material.
As an arranger, Josh works with a twofold approach. Firstly with the aim of heightening the musical material presented, and secondly to treat each individual project as a collaboration with the artist. To create something special, he works closely with any artist/client, so that the musical ideas/intent are realised as the artist/client imagined.
Josh is also comfortable writing music to picture, whether this be for film, television or adverts.
Bill Laurance
Since 2021, Josh has been working with Grammy Award-winning pianist and composer, Bill Laurance, as part of an ongoing project with The Untold Orchestra. The first instance of this collaboration was a reworking of 2 songs, Constance and Cables, released under the title, Cables Rewired. Here Josh took Bill's compositions into a new light, arranging and composing around the original material for strings and brass.
In 2021 they released the Zeal EP on Bill's label, Flint. This project was created in lockdown, whereby Josh and a team of arrangers from Untold realised Bill's vision for new compositions with strings. As well as arranging the material, Josh coordinated the remote recording of the entire string ensemble, collated and edited the audio, before sending to Nic Hard who mixed the album in New York.
The continuation of this collaboration led to a performance at Union Chapel as part of London Jazz Festival, where Josh created a 60 minute set of new arrangements from Bill's catalogue, and has since been performed by orchestras all over Europe. The full performance can be seen in the second video.
On April 26th 2024, a new album, Bloom, is due for release on German label Act. This new music for piano, synths and strings was part funded by PRS Music Foundation and produced by Josh. He contributed compositional ideas and all string arrangements.
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LISTEN
The Untold Orchestra
as director and arranger for:
Since its formation in 2017, Josh has been a director of The Untold Orchestra, a collaborative ensemble, redefining orchestral music for audiences and communities in Manchester through memorable performances, creative workshops, and refreshing collaborations, all focused on positive social change. A key arm to the organisation’s output is celebrating the life, music and culture of iconic artists from the last 100 years. As part of this, Josh is a musical director, a main contributor of new arrangements, precise transcriptions, and backing/click track production that replicates samples and soundscapes that can't be produced in live instrumentation, to give the full realisation of albums that we thought we may never hear again in a live setting.
He has also worked alongside a variety of both new and established artists from Manchester, including drum & bass legend Jenna G, The Lottery Winners (who had a recent no.1 album) and the KTNA.
Some shows require a completely unique approach, including song choice, production, and working with other art forms (such as dance and poetry). Josh has a wealth of experience in creating multi art-form shows and collaborating with several clients at once. One such occasion was for One Young World at The Bridgewater Hall where we worked alongside dancers, artists and public figures including Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and Sir Bob Geldoff. His skills also reach further in writing/arranging music to picture.
Whether it's the transcription of a singular song or the development and production of an entirely new show, Josh has all the experience required to create something unique and spectacular.
ABBA, Amy Winehouse, The Beatles, Beyonce, Britpop, Christmas, Daft Punk, David Bowie, Disney, Drake, Elton John, Fleetwood Mac
Frank Ocean, Hip Hop / RnB, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Motown, Nina Simone, Queer Icons, Prince, Radiohead, Rihanna, Sing 1&2, The Specials, Stevie Wonder
Other Work
Josh is an extremely versatile arranger and orchestrator. Here are some of the other projects he’s been involved with.
Working as an arranger for established professional orchestras including The Untold Orchestra, Ignition Orchestra and Manchester Camerata.
Arrangements created with non-Western instrumentation (including an arrangement for John Haycock’s song Little Blue on Kora)
‘DJ live’ events for garage legend DJ Spoony, providing scored parts alongside a DJ mix.
Collaborating on string/horn arrangements for Mica Millar’s debut album, Heaven Knows, which saw her named JazzFM’s Soul Act of The Year Award.
Scoring parts for arena tours and TV appearances (Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott).
New string quartet arrangements for Manchester City FC.
