Ari Joshua’s Dynamism Gives us Country Flavored Jazz in Latest Track, ‘Country Stroll’

Congratulations on the release of ‘Country Stroll’ and your upcoming release, ‘Elephant Walk’. These tracks add a new dimension to the Ari Joshua discography, blending idyllic melodies with compelling rhythms. The track illustrates the artist’s vivid explorations within the country genre, tying it with elating jazz elements and structures to refresh the mind. Ari Joshua’s music is known to entail dynamism and dimension and these tracks are no different. Just when you think there’s a boundary forming, he dilates the soundscape to give us a little more of a peak beyond the horizon. Listen Now to Country Stroll and make sure to pre-save and listen to Elephant Walk that is all set to release on 26th January, 2024.

1. Can you share the journey behind these creations – the inspiration, the creative process, and the artistic vision you aimed to fulfill?
   
   All I really aim for with my music is to act as a conduit for the moment, to capture the essence of the now. These tracks emerged from three distinct phases of the recording session.There was phase one, bass and drums, phase two, quartet, and this phase, the organ trio phase. Knowing the extraordinary capabilities of Billy and John, I was eager to push boundaries and experiment. Initially I was envisioning something more angular and experimental overall, but these melodies were just waiting to be brought to life, and with such talented collaborators, the music naturally evolved into something beyond premeditation. While these tracks might be more ‘in the box’, they represent a special part of our creative journey.
   
   
   

2. 'Country Stroll' masterfully intertwines country accents with ambient jazz, while 'Elephant Walk' evolves playfully yet profoundly. How do you achieve this delicate balance between thematic ambience and profound artistic expression?
   
   Hearing that the music evokes such vivid imagery is truly gratifying. This balance, for me, has become intuitive after years of crafting art. Working with world-class collaborators who aren't bound by conventional styles or rules, but rather guided by pure feel and emotion, helps create this harmonious blend.It’s all based on listening, reacting, and just conversating.

3. 'Elephant Walk' & 'Country Stroll' are elevated by the talents of John Medeski and Billy Martin. How did their unique contributions shape your vision, and what lessons from this collaboration have enriched you as an artist?
   
   Our collaboration was years in the making. John's openness and Billy's philosophical approach brought new perspectives to the table. They both felt like kindred spirits, each imparting wisdom in their own way. John's free-spirited confidence and Billy's profound depth taught me to cherish the moment, embrace my own voice, and recognize that sometimes the path less traveled leads to more profound discoveries. Initially the session was going to be built around who was available, I want to take a moment and thank the creator for putting this together, timing, and preparation collide in these moments.

4. In your music, experimentation is a life force. How has this shaped your perception of musical boundaries like genre and tradition?
   
   Experimentation is about discovering and embracing one's unique gifts. It's not so much about styles or genres, but about the feelings and emotions I want to convey. The magic lies in being authentic and vulnerable, and less about conforming to traditional norms. This approach has liberated me from the constraints of genres and allowed me to explore music more freely and genuinely. The wrong notes are the stepping stones to authenticity, to vulnerability, and to reality in a way. One thing all my personal favorite artists have in common is a voice, what makes that voice often is the depth that comes with experimentation.

5. 'Elephant Walk' introduces new soundscapes. Can you tell us about the new arenas you explored in this release?
   
   'Elephant Walk' features a unique blend of guitar tones, percussion, and piano – a soundscape I've never ventured into before. The guitar has an octave divider on it, and several old vintage fx that were laying around the studio. Sharing this experience with John and Billy, each with their own rich artistic journey, was incredibly special. Their insights and encouragement reminded me how fortunate I am to be part of such a creative process. At one point Billy looked over to me and asked me if I knew how lucky I was. It was when John was adding some piano to Elephant Walk. I had this inner feeling like I was meant to be there at that time, there was not pressure it was just be yourself, when you are yourself, and you are able to converse with the players on the session, when you are are able to lean over into the edge of the abyss a little, but know we all have each others back, and it’s all gonna work, there is something that happens. This track, the whole session, and really all the music I have been making in the last few years for me, has not just about making music, it has been a profound exploration of my own artistry. I really can’t wait to get the whole volume of music out there, but part of the way I have learned I am is I take on a lot at once, it’s all coming though. That’s life.

Check out his Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter!

The track is available for streaming on popular sites like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music!

Listen to Country Stroll by Ari Joshua and his band here -