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Joseph L Young

 

          For some recording artists, music, even when they are children, is first and foremost in their hearts and minds. For others, it hatches from a singular inspirational event. And for even others, it’s a journey of revelation that unfolds gradually, and reveals itself as a slow-burning epiphany of sorts. Joseph L Young likely fits into the latter character, which makes his many accolades and accomplishments representative of his talent, his drive, and his ambition. 

          Joseph was born in Tacoma, Washington in 1972, the third of three children (two sisters preceded him). Unlike many parents, his mother and father never pushed or forced him into any music lessons. Instead, as a child, Joseph aspired to follow his father’s occupation and become a pilot. However, his mother recalls the many hours Joseph would sit intently listening to music on the radio and asking her and his father “What instrument is that playing right now?” Because of this, he developed a gifted ear for music and instruments. At the age of 11, Joseph took guitar lessons which planted the seed of making music one of his life’s goals. This idea continued to blossom when he started taking saxophone lessons the next year. His parents also contributed to Joseph’s growing fascination for music by purchasing him a Casio CZ230S keyboard when he was 13 (which he still owns) and taking him to numerous concerts. In his words, that started the ball rolling “It started my synth journey. I am a total ‘80s synth kid.” Besides his budding love for his Casio, at 14 he discovered Chip Davis’ Mannheim Steamroller and their Fresh Aire series of recordings, as well as Vangelis’ Chariots of Fire soundtrack which he acquired around that same time. In fact, his parents took him to see Mannheim Steamroller live. Around that time, Joseph began composing original music on his Casio. As far as the kind of kind of music he wrote, “[it] was mostly new age kinda stuff.” Which makes sense given his influences included the aforementioned Mannheim Steamroller, Vangelis, Kitaro, Tangerine Dream, and Brian Eno. 

          Joseph played in school bands as early as the 6th grade and continued to do so through college. He attended Boise State University and graduated from the Art Institute of Seattle in 1996 with a degree in Music and Video Business, which not only included music composition curricula, but also the technical aspects of the business, e.g., production, mixing, mastering, and more. Because of this, he has self-produced and mixed all his albums in his home studio. After college, (in the early 2000s) Joseph co-founded a smooth/contemporary jazz band, Mobius Trip. In addition to Mobius Trip, he also played with an assortment of rock, blues, folk, and even Celtic bands. He eventually began playing solo, first locally, then in venues across the country, in conjunction with the emergence of his reputation as a talented and acclaimed flute, sax, and keyboard recording artist. In addition to his various recording, composing, and performing gigs, he also teaches the playing of world flutes, e.g., Native American style flute, Irish penny whistle, Chinese Xiao, among others, as well other jobs related to the recording end of the business, including video recording and production. 

          Joseph’s first album, Pathways, was released in 2004, followed by Face The Wind (2010), Life Spring (2013) which was commissioned by the Idaho Dance Theater, Ethereum (2016), Every Moment (2018) and Into the Unknown (2022). Young's latest album showcases his composing and performing talents in some daring new directions, although his previous releases have always revealed him to be a multi-faceted and versatile artist, spanning such genres as New Age, Native Fusion, Jazz Fusion, and Contemporary Instrumental. Many of his albums have won multiple Silver Medals for Outstanding Achievement in the Global Music Awards, drawing rave reviews, and garnering broad radio and internet airplay as well as awards and top chart placements on noted outlets such as Echoes, New Age Notes Radio, One World Music (UK) and Zone Music Reporter. 

          Currently, Joseph resides in Boise, Idaho, with his wife, Lenise Redding, who besides working as a paralegal and online notary, also co-manages his career and co-produces his albums. Together, they raise miniature American Eskimo dogs, which are frequently featured on Lenise’s Facebook postings. In addition to his solo performances, he also continues to play live gigs with two local bands: the rhythm and blues Stef and The Groove, and an ‘80s tribute band, Casio Dreams. He also holds a second degree blackbelt in Chinese Shao-Lin Kung Fu and Tai Chi which, owing to the training and discipline required for those practices, informs and influences both his music and his teaching of music. 

          One of Joseph’s goals is to make music without boundaries which offers a universal sound that everyone can enjoy. “I want my music to take listeners on a journey of discovery, to help them work through their emotions, releasing the negative, as they grow and change, and serving as a catalyst to help with their transformation."

 

Member:  The Recording Academy (NARAS/Grammy voting member), HMMA (voting member), World Flute Society, Mindful Music AssociationASCAP

 

Joe has two home studios in Boise, Idaho, where he composes, mixes and produces his music and videos, and records audio for other musicians.

  

 


 

Want to see Joe Young in your city?

Joe Young's performances and workshops are made available when people like you want him to appear in your area for house concerts, at community centers and other local venues, for charitable events or at places of worship, and during fairs and festivals.

 


 

PRIVATE LESSONS

Joe is available for private lessons in your city or his, at most of the events where he performs or teaches, and also online by Zoom! He teaches various world flutes, live performance showmanship, music composition, and digital recording. Contact Joe for more info.