Joseph L. Young
Boise, Idaho, United States | SELF
Music
Press
From Idaho, Joseph L. Young has released his second album, Face the Wind, and it will be warmly received as a stellar showcase of his creativity and musicianship. An artist of breathtaking ability who is frequently seen on the flute festival circuit, Young composed and arranged all of the compositions on Face the Wind. He uses a variety of flutes, and the album also includes affable flavorings of his own saxophone, percussion and wind synthesizer. The title cut, performed solo as a flute tribute to a deceased friend, opens Young’s album. In fact, the entire album is dedicated to “friends that were taken from us too quickly.” Fortunately, the album is not packed with just mournful, sad music. Young’s enchanting repertoire always keeps flute in the forefront while evoking a sense of calm within the great ocean of serenity. He has an alluring knack for being able to incorporate Native American, jazz, oriental and world sensibilities into his seductive music. By track two (“Taking Flight”), Matt Roos’s acoustic guitar, Ken Kolman’s bass guitar, and Dustin McFadden-Elliott’s percussion are added to the mix. Track three (“Moyolude”) features Young’s short solo on the pensive Moyo drum. “Blue Lizard” has an infectious melody, and Young’s use of his Yamaha Wind Synth on “Dream Walk” conjures images of suspended consciousness through time and space. Liner notes failed to credit the understated vocalizing on this track, but I’m told that it was actually Joe’s own chant. “MoJoe” is a live free-form improvised piece with guitarist Matt Roos, who spontaneously co-penned the tune with Young in a jam.
Throughout the project, we hear tastefully-arranged instrumental interplay that makes for a very soothing and mesmerizing melodic experience. Young’s outstanding soundscapes result in bountiful rewards. Face the Wind has colorful music that takes flight, soars above limits, walks with dreams, touches hearts, and basks in the sun. His memorable and breezy music simply celebrates life. (Joe Ross, Roseburg, Ore.) - CD insight
Discography
Pathwyas LP 2004
Face the Wind LP 2010
Photos
Bio
Joseph L. Young hails from the sleepy town of Eagle, Idaho. He discovered his deep appreciation for the beauty of music at the age of twelve when he first learned to play the saxophone. His passion for musical creativity drove him to study music at Boise State University where he then went on to pursue a degree in Music & Video Business at the Art Institute in Seattle, Washington. He has long been fascinated by the Native American flute - an instrument commonly found throughout the Pacific Northwest. He wrote his first composition for this instrument, "Shaman's Dream," even before he owned his first flute. This piece finally came to life on his first CD, "Pathways." Joseph's eclectic talent emerges as a soothing blend of jazz, world beat, and diverse flute music. He is a talented composer, a consummate producer, and perhaps most of all, a dynamic performer. He has rendered engaging performances throughout his career with Mobius Trip ( a smooth jazz ensemble), Terra Sonus ( a world band), and WRY ( a folk rock trio). Within the last several years, Joseph has followed his dream by performing on the flute festival circuit. He was selected as a Rising Star performer at the Zion Flute Festival in 2007. He received 2nd place honors in the flute player's competition at Musical Echoes Flute Festival in 2008. In 2009, he played his first headliner venue at the Magic Valley Flute Festival. In August 2010, he opened on the main stage at Flute Quest for two-time Grammy winner Mary Youngblood. Joseph resides in Boise, Idaho where he works as a sound engineer and musician. In addition to his professional command of the alto & soprano saxophone, he plays concert quality on specialty flutes such as the Anasazi, the Xiao, as well as the Celtic penny whistle. He also plays and performs various percussion instruments and the wind synthesizer. Joseph recently released his second CD, "Face the Wind," and is working on his third release to be available in the summer of 2011.
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