Josh Arcoleo

Tenor Saxophonist Josh Arcoleo is an exceptional music talent. Born into a musical family in 1989 he started playing cello at the age of seven but soon switched to saxophone and began having lessons with famed James Brown alumnus Pee Wee Ellis only living two streets away. By the time he was sixteen years old, he was touring with Ellis’ band. In 2011, he graduated from the Royal Academy of Music with a first class honours degree and with a wealth of performing experience with with Jason Rebello, Fred Wesley, Tony Allen, Get the Blessing, Kit Downes and Jamie Cullum has already clocked up many road miles.

Given the association with Ellis, it’s no surprise that Pee Wee’s one-time teacher Sonny Rollins is an influence. Joe Henderson also figures as an inspiration on saxophone and as a writer of strong melodies that still leave space for improvisation. Josh has a big, wide, authoritative sound, a sound that is already his own. Josh Arcoleo’s talent is already achieving recognition. He has received awards from the EMI Music Sound Foundation and MBF Young Talent and, in 2011, won a 2011 Yamaha Parliamentary Jazz Scholarship. Most importantly, however, he recently won the Kenny Wheeler Jazz Prize, impressing a panel of judges that included Edition Records’ label boss Dave Stapleton and world-renowned saxophonist Evan Parker. That prize will see his debut album released on Edition Records in the spring of 2012 with Ivo Neame, Calum Gourlay and James Maddren. One thing’s sure. It’s an opportunity Josh Arcoleo will grasp with both hands.