Amarillo Style Archives
Joshua Aaron Knapp
Joshua Aaron Knapp
Amarillo Style article Volume 5, :Number 5
By Allen Dawson III
Photography by Ralph Duke
By Allen Dawson III
Photography by Ralph Duke
The Art of Music: Josh Knapp
Here's a bit of an understatement: Music has changed quite a bit of the last fifty years. Just as Elvis once pulled the scepter of popular music away from Big Band and the crooners, today's music continues to change and adapt to accommodate new styles. Unfortunately for the music lover, the recording industry has become driven by personality, money and big business. Musicians no longer write their own material and new recording techniques allow artist to "sample" work done by others. Joshua Aaron Knapp is an artist of the old school, one who writes music for himself and others and who's an accomplished musician and performer in his own right. You might have heard Josh at any number of locations around town, especially the Amarillo Club, playing and preforming his own songs.
Josh Knapp has a unique perspective in today's hodgepodge of musical trends. The name of his newsletter basically says it all when considering his personal style. "Songs That Relax" is a musical newsletter that helps friends, relatives and fans keep up with the goings-on in Josh's musical life. Named primarily after his debut CD, "Relax," this newsletter catalogs Josh's musings about music in general, dates and places where he will be appearing, upcoming events and current happenings, like the newly released CD entitled "Conversations" - now available at area Hastings stores.
A lot of his work is well-constructed instrumental fare that allows the listener to completely escape into the music. It's almost like musical therapy, soothing your mind and letting you drift off into thought or inner space contemplation. Josh is somewhat of a throwback in his outlook on the musical world because he believes that the music itself is what is important, not the image he can promote for himself. While enjoying "Relax," I perused the writings inside, much as I used to do with album covers back when. Produced, mixed and engineered by Josh, the CD was mastered by Kevin Prosch and recorded at Simple Records in Amarillo, with live recordings done at Randy's of Wildorado. Josh played all the Maurice and wrote every track but one by himself. ("Faithful" was co-written by Nate Ham.) Art direction was by Davy Knapp and art design was by Josh and Davy Knapp.
Josh says that his music is basically relaxing jazz, but that overlooks other influences such as country and rock. While jazz is his predominate music form, it is obvious that Josh is an accomplished artist who could play and write in a wide variety of styles. The jazz format, as most listeners know, is an American form of music that requires a higher level of musical expertise because it is so free-form and allows for improvisation. That freedom can seem deceptively easy while tripping lesser impresarios, but Josh remains sure of himself and his musical footing. Look for evidence of his improvisational skills with the release of another CD next year, as he will be playing with various artist to enhance his sound.
In his newsletter, Josh says that "people are attracted to creative music and they sometimes don't know why. It could be that they are starving the creative side of the brain, and right side, by being so analytical." He also mentions that the majority of his customers are interested in relaxing or promoting a more relaxed type of atmosphere. Subscribers to the newsletter already have a new CD, but getting a copy for yourself is so easy you won't even have to leave your house. To subscribe to the newsletter and get your copy of Joshua Aaron Knapp's latest CD, e-mail www.JoshuaAaron.com and enjoy new tunes from someone who knows a little something about music. You'll enjoy it, and it will ease you through the stress of your day in a very helpful way.
Josh Knapp has a unique perspective in today's hodgepodge of musical trends. The name of his newsletter basically says it all when considering his personal style. "Songs That Relax" is a musical newsletter that helps friends, relatives and fans keep up with the goings-on in Josh's musical life. Named primarily after his debut CD, "Relax," this newsletter catalogs Josh's musings about music in general, dates and places where he will be appearing, upcoming events and current happenings, like the newly released CD entitled "Conversations" - now available at area Hastings stores.
A lot of his work is well-constructed instrumental fare that allows the listener to completely escape into the music. It's almost like musical therapy, soothing your mind and letting you drift off into thought or inner space contemplation. Josh is somewhat of a throwback in his outlook on the musical world because he believes that the music itself is what is important, not the image he can promote for himself. While enjoying "Relax," I perused the writings inside, much as I used to do with album covers back when. Produced, mixed and engineered by Josh, the CD was mastered by Kevin Prosch and recorded at Simple Records in Amarillo, with live recordings done at Randy's of Wildorado. Josh played all the Maurice and wrote every track but one by himself. ("Faithful" was co-written by Nate Ham.) Art direction was by Davy Knapp and art design was by Josh and Davy Knapp.
Josh says that his music is basically relaxing jazz, but that overlooks other influences such as country and rock. While jazz is his predominate music form, it is obvious that Josh is an accomplished artist who could play and write in a wide variety of styles. The jazz format, as most listeners know, is an American form of music that requires a higher level of musical expertise because it is so free-form and allows for improvisation. That freedom can seem deceptively easy while tripping lesser impresarios, but Josh remains sure of himself and his musical footing. Look for evidence of his improvisational skills with the release of another CD next year, as he will be playing with various artist to enhance his sound.
In his newsletter, Josh says that "people are attracted to creative music and they sometimes don't know why. It could be that they are starving the creative side of the brain, and right side, by being so analytical." He also mentions that the majority of his customers are interested in relaxing or promoting a more relaxed type of atmosphere. Subscribers to the newsletter already have a new CD, but getting a copy for yourself is so easy you won't even have to leave your house. To subscribe to the newsletter and get your copy of Joshua Aaron Knapp's latest CD, e-mail www.JoshuaAaron.com and enjoy new tunes from someone who knows a little something about music. You'll enjoy it, and it will ease you through the stress of your day in a very helpful way.