Biography
Born around 1971 in Redlands, California, ballad vocalist Josi initially resisted his mother’s fondness for Frank Sinatra LPs at home, preferring instead to play drums in a neighborhood heavy metal group. His outlook shifted at age seventeen after witnessing Sinatra perform live. Enrolled at college in political science, he landed vocal parts in a pair of Cole Porter stage productions and quickly absorbed the catalogs of classic torch interpreters including Tony Bennett and Bing Crosby. Upon completing his degree at California State University, he spent two years crossing the United States with the Chris Davis Band. Josi later described the experience as essential: “For someone who wants to do this kind of music, you can’t do it right unless you’ve been in front of a big band.” After slipping backstage at a Mel Tormé show and handing the singer a demo, he relocated from the West Coast to the East. The next morning pianist John Collianni telephoned with an invitation to join a new ensemble in New York. Although the project never materialized as envisioned, the move yielded abundant chances to perform and introduced him to his future wife. A string of prominent engagements fueled his swift ascent and earned praise from Grover Washington Jnr. and Herb Jeffries. His first recording, I Walks With My Feet Off The Ground, featured pianist Tony Monte, saxophonist Harry Allen, bassist Dave Green, and drummer Trevor Tomkins, with production support from Delfeayo Marsalis. The set of swing and ballad material attracted a broad audience, among them numerous younger listeners seldom drawn to the standards repertoire. As Josi observed, “I think the essence of this music’s appeal to the young is that it’s finally being presented to them by people they can consider their peers.”
Albums