Work samples

  • III. Unwelcome Dream
    Original composition by pianist Joshua Espinoza, from his "Night Suite." Included on his debut album, "Journey Into Night," released in June 2019. An exploration of the juxtaposition of light and darkness through harmonic and melodic motion. Quick and sudden changes in texture, timbre, and rhythmic content are used to convey a descent or ascent from deep despair to triumphant joy. III. Unwelcome Dream. Composed by Joshua Espinoza. Performed by Joshua Espinoza (piano), Mikel Combs (bass), and Jaron Lamar Davis (drums).

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About Joshua

Baltimore City  

Baltimore composer and pianist Joshua Espinoza balances his time sharing music on the stage and off. As a performer, Joshua has played with renowned artists including Miho Hazama, Warren Wolf, Paul Bollenback, Alex Norris, John D’earth, Mike Pope, Kris Funn, Brian Settles, Todd Marcus, Chuck Redd, and on national stages including the Piccolo Spoleto Festival, The Kennedy Center, Blues Alley, the Barns at Wolftrap, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, and the DC Jazz Festival. His… more

View Joshua's Resume
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Night Suite

This four movement suite for jazz piano trio is an exploration of darkness and light; an evocation of nighttime wanderings, images, hallucinations. My work weaves together drastic and sudden changes in harmony, melody, and texture to achieve a narrative arc from start to finish. Through harmonic and melodic motion, this work seeks to convey a gradual descent into the darkness of night, only to rise again to the triumphant joy of daylight.

I. Streetlight Serenade
II. Nocturne for AnnaMarie
III. Unwelcome Dream
IV. Birdsong

Joshua Espinoza, pianist & composer
Mikel Combs, bassist
Jaron Lamar Davis, drummer
  • I. Streetlight Serenade
    I. Streetlight Serenade. Composed by Joshua Espinoza. Performed by Joshua Espinoza (piano), Mikel Combs (bass), and Jaron Lamar Davis (drums).
  • II. Nocturne for AnnaMarie
    II. Nocturne for AnnaMarieI. Composed by Joshua Espinoza. Performed by Joshua Espinoza (piano), Mikel Combs (bass), and Jaron Lamar Davis (drums).
  • III. Unwelcome Dream
    Original composition by pianist Joshua Espinoza, from his "Night Suite." Included on his debut album, "Journey Into Night," released in June 2019. An exploration of the juxtaposition of light and darkness through harmonic and melodic motion. Quick and sudden changes in texture, timbre, and rhythmic content are used to convey a descent or ascent from deep despair to triumphant joy. III. Unwelcome Dream. Composed by Joshua Espinoza. Performed by Joshua Espinoza (piano), Mikel Combs (bass), and Jaron Lamar Davis (drums).
  • IV. Birdsong
    IV. Birdsong. Composed by Joshua Espinoza. Performed by Joshua Espinoza (piano), Mikel Combs (bass), and Jaron Lamar Davis (drums).
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    • Nostalgia on Ann Street

    This collection of (re)arrangements is a nostalgic reflection on my childhood and a reckoning with my various musical and personal influences that have informed my artistic style. As a jazz pianist, a primary goal of mine is to commune with the past while nevertheless hurtling the artform towards the future. I seek the freedom of improvisation within the framework of extant melodies and compositions as a way of communicating with my forebearers, both personal and musical. Some reflections are jubilant, while others solemn and reverent, but each selection represents a stepping stone to my present self.
    • Always Something There To Remind Me
      Always Something There to Remind Me. Composed by Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Arranged by Joshua Espinoza. Performed by Joshua Espinoza (piano), Mikel Combs (bass), Jaron Lamar Davis (drums).
    • In My Life
      In My Life. Composed by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Arranged by Joshua Espinoza. Performed by Joshua Espinoza (piano), Mikel Combs (bass), and Jaron Lamar Davis (drums).
    • Shenandoah
      Shenandoah. Traditiona. Arranged by Joshua Espinoza. Performed by Joshua Espinoza (piano), Mikel Combs (bass), and Jaron Lamar Davis (drums).
    • Desperado
      Desperado. Composed by Don Henley. Arranged by Joshua Espinoza. Performed by Joshua Espinoza (piano), Mikel Combs (bass), and Jaron Lamar Davis (drums).
    • Take the "A" Train
      Take the "A" Train. Composed by Billy Strayhorn. Arranged by Joshua Espinoza. Performed by Joshua Espinoza (piano), Mikel Combs (bass), and Jaron Lamar Davis (drums).
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