Josh Johnson, a 37-year-old multi-instrumentalist and composer based in Los Angeles, has released his third album as a bandleader, titled "Animative." The record marks a progression from his 2024 debut, "Unusual Object," by broadening his sonic explorations and featuring a wider range of collaborators and instruments, including drums, bass, violin, and trumpet. Johnson’s work reflects a blend of experimental jazz and electronic influences, with an emphasis on creating music that connects physically with listeners rather than merely appealing to intellectual analysis.
The album opens with the track “Idiofone,” which showcases Johnson’s saxophone as its own rhythmic force, bridging the more austere style of his first record with the expanded textures of the new project. Another notable track, “High Step,” features contributions from bassist Ndegeocello and drummers Ben Lumsdaine and Brandon Combs, adding fresh voices to Johnson’s compositions and expanding his musical palette. The track “It Can Be Everywhere” uses airy synthesizers to evoke a sense of space travel, reflecting Johnson’s openness to imaginative and otherworldly themes.
Raised in Naperville, Illinois, near Chicago, Johnson developed an early connection to music through a household filled with soul, gospel, and funk, despite neither of his parents being musicians. He began on piano before taking up saxophone in sixth grade. Encouraged by teachers who recognized his natural aptitude, Johnson sought out sounds beyond his home environment, gravitating toward Chicago’s electronic music and indie rock scenes, and discovering influential jazz musicians such as Greg Ward, Joshua Abrams, and Fred Anderson.
One of Johnson’s early musical role models was guitarist Jeff Parker, known for his work with Tortoise and his boundary-crossing approach to music. The two first connected in 2005 when Johnson, still a teenager, approached Parker after a concert seeking guidance. Parker recalls Johnson’s talent at a young age and praised his thoughtful, soulful playing. The two have maintained a close creative relationship, collaborating in Chicago and later within Los Angeles’s experimental music scene.
Johnson has also been active in production, notably on Ndegeocello’s album "The Omnichord Real Book," where he helped her retain artistic direction while encouraging exploration. Ndegeocello described Johnson’s influence as transformative, highlighting his ability to encourage musical freedom and focus.
His reputation as a versatile and intuitive musician has attracted other high-profile collaborators. Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers first encountered Johnson during a recording session in which Johnson delivered a saxophone solo completed in a single take. Johnson’s skill in recognizing when a musical idea is complete distinguishes him from artists who pursue endless refinement. Flea later enlisted Johnson as producer for his jazz debut, "Honora," released in March, praising Johnson’s combination of technical expertise and emotional support.
Johnson’s solo work challenges traditional roles for the saxophone by using electronic processing to integrate the instrument into multiple textures simultaneously, rather than positioning it solely in the melodic foreground. His innovative approach has garnered attention within the jazz community; Parker noted that Johnson’s performances, including a solo set at the 2025 Big Ears Festival in Tennessee, have positioned him as a significant emerging voice in contemporary saxophone playing.
Throughout his career, Johnson has balanced technical precision with an emphasis on feeling and physical connection in music. He describes his creative process as one of discovery, trusting that there is always potential for greater beauty and depth in sound.