George A Johnson, Jr All Star Tribute CD

The family moved to Virginia where at school during Black HistoryMonth, Joel heard themusical sound that would change his life, "I firstheard ragtime atmusic class. It was like a window opening." With a growing passion, Joel soaked up a steady influence of jazz greatslike Oscar Peterson and Art Tatum. At the age of 10, Joel would sit at the family piano and play along with these great musicians, naturally following their lead. His mother Theresa first noticed her son's musical talent. Encouraged by his initiative his father Dennis, a trumpet player for the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corp in Fort Myers, started off his son's music education by teaching him all he knew about basic piano. He learnt enough to play in the local church band and a teenage go-go band. With his family finally settling down in the city of Baltimore, MD Joel formed his first band, in the last year of middle school, aptly named J-Groove. His talent was impressive enough for his mother to suggest he pursue an education in music. Enrolling in the Baltimore School for the Arts was a natural step where Joel's admission was based purely on talent. After high school, Joel won a full scholarship to the acclaimed PeabodyConservatory of Music, John Hopkins University wherehe became anunderstudy of Gary Thomas, the institute's Directorof Jazz. He gained popularity with his fellow students as they played impressive performances at various festivals and venues in both the classical and jazz genres. Joel has studied with Bobby McFerrin, Roy Hargrove and a slew of other respected musicians. He has also taught music and theory at the Rock Junior Academy, the Baltimore School for the Arts as well as given individual private lessons in jazz and classical music. A recent Bachelor of Arts graduate in Jazz Performance, Joel's accolades include a gold medal in the Act-so Competition of the NAACP, a silver medal in the Local and National Levels and an honorable mention in the John Lennon Songwriting Competition. Now at 22, Joel composes his own style of music blending an array of traditional and contemporary jazz, gospel, R&B, soul, hip-hop, neosoul, funk, classical and pop. Although unique,Joel's music reflectsseveral influences like Keith Jarret, Art Tatum,Herbie Hancock andAhmad Jamal, albeit steadfastly maintaining a JoelHolmes identity. Aself-declared improviser, his music is what herefers to as "a directexpression of musical influences, spiritual freedomand personalinterpretation."In addition, he plays a repertoire of over threehundred well-knowntunes and is a respected pianist both nationally andinternationally,with an impressive fan base of several hundredpeople. He has openedfor The Temptations, The Manhattans, Tonex, ReginaBell and Phil Perry.