Missoula's Josh Farmer is a whirlwind of joyous musical creativity whose roles include but are not limited to: pianist, bandleader, performing singer-songwriter, teacher, choir director and community music organizer. With the album Mental Picture, Josh can add "solo recording artist." Here's how The Josh Farmer band describe themselves: "With a message of unity, equality and love for a creative community, their exciting, one-of-a-kind, live performances are known to incite vibes of happiness and freedom. Let go through joyful dance and sing along while Josh and his band do what they enjoy most!"
For his first solo recording, Josh set out to keep pegging that danceability meter. Then, life intervened. The result, Mental Picture, balances the booty-shaking aspects of Josh's influences - jazz, R&B, folk, pop, gospel, soul and improvisation - with themes of introspection and grief-reckoning.
(Broadcast: Musician's Spotlight, 4/27/21. Listen on the radio Tuesdays, 7 p.m., or via podcast.)
