Josh Winiberg is an exciting, up-and-coming composer and pianist from Essex, England. Starting to teach himself piano at 15, Josh was a late starter. However, he found his natural affinity with music in the piano and by only 16 had released his first solo piano album, Sunrise (2004), a highly emotional album written during the time of the death of his dad. Sunrise is a melancholic album, simple in style but complex in the emotional images it evokes.
Having sold hundreds of copies and receiving acclaim from composers internationally, including the renowned contemporary composer Ludovico Einaudi, Josh was invited to perform at the Ravello Festival in Italy. Prolific as ever, Josh was already part-way through writing his second album, Silent Embrace, which he released in 2005. This album was an extension of the ideas explored in Sunrise, but developing the idea of composition through improvisation. The themes in this album are more dramatic than those in Sunrise as Josh develops as a composer and performer, and begins to explore a wider musical pallet.
Since Silent Embrace was released, Josh has focused more on composing for commissions and performances than releasing an album. Three years later, Those Nights is finally ready for the world to see.
“It was ready to release by February 2007, but I’ve been a real perfectionist with this album. Sunrise and Silent Embrace mean a lot to me; they have great nostalgic value and they really helped me learn about music through writing them, but they aren’t perfect. Nothing ever is I guess, but I wanted to try my hardest for this album, and I‘m happy with the results!”
Talking about the composition process, Josh goes on to say:
“All the songs on this album grew out of nothing - that’s what the song From Within is about. When I improvise it’s like there’s this musical fog…I play for hours and sometimes can’t see anything through all the material. Then suddenly a light goes on and a piece starts to emerge, and I’ve learned now to let that light grow in its own time, not to force it. It’s an organic process, and one for which I’m only the medium. The music has to grow in its own right, by itself in its own time. That’s why this album’s taken longer than the others to write.” Those Nights follows the natural progression of Sunrise and Silent Embrace, but with an extra two years experience - both in music and in life - it is a much more mature work, and noticeably different from the other two albums. This album takes influences from a huge variety of sources, and shows more than ever Josh’s ability to seamlessly fuse together influences as contrasted as classical, drum 'n' bass and flamenco, and give them his unique emotive and sensitive touch.
Those Nights has been recorded three times, and the release date has been pushed back time and time again. Now however, this long awaited album is finally available for release exclusively from BeatPick.com, with a CD release due in early 2008.
Aside from his solo piano work, collaboration has always been an important thing for Josh. Projects and commissions Josh has composed for include composing for short films, dance and for the cartoon PC game, Mr Smoozles Goes Nutso (Juniper Games) - an independent release from the writer of Broken Sword, Steve Ince - demonstrating the diversity of his compositional ability. These projects span a vast array of genres and instruments, including orchestral, electronic and - of course - piano.
So what now for Josh?
“At the moment I‘m focusing more on working with other musicians and people from other arts forms. The piano can be a lonely place sometimes! But I already have enough material to record my next album, so I don‘t think there‘ll be another three year gap. I‘m on a roll! But after that, perhaps a CD with strings, or perhaps a CD with drum‘n‘bass…! Who knows where this path will go?”

REVIEWS
"Josh's piano playing is really good and full of character, with nice control of the sound and breathe of the music. I was really moved by the program notes in the album. I wish Josh all my best for his future." Ludovico Einaudi
"Josh's musical contribution has been very valuable. The style and variety of pieces he's composed fit the game perfectly and significantly add to the player's enjoyment." Steve Ince - Game designer (Broken Sword, In Cold Blood, Mr Smoozles Goes Nutso)
"Josh is a wonderfully articulate performer who shows enormous promise as a composer and arranger. Definitely a talent to watch." Mark Cunningham (Total production Magazine editor)
"You probably haven't heard of Josh Winiberg yet - but don't worry - I predict you soon will have. If you're after relaxing, mood enhancing, chilled music, then give Josh's stuff a listen." Record Scout