Joshua Banbury is a classically trained jazz singer and opera librettist with deep Texas roots. His collaborations include performances with many of the most respected musical organizations in the country, including The New York Philharmonic, Jazz at Lincoln Center, The National Black Theatre, Jazz at The Ballroom, National Sawdust, The Kennedy Center, and The Apollo Theatre (November 4th, 2023).

Most recently, he drew connections from the life of composer Billy Strayhorn and his own personal experiences to curate a tribute recital at The Phillips Collection, with pianist Aaron Diehl in January 2023.

Joshua also served as Librettist in Residence with the American Lyric Theatre in 2022, considered one of the country’s premier mentorship initiatives for promising operatic writers. His work has been commissioned and presented by Los Angeles Opera, Washington National Opera, CAAPA, Looking Glass Arts, The New School, and Fort Worth Opera.

Banbury has enjoyed fruitful collaborative and performance opportunities with some of the most alluring figures in both opera and jazz such as Denyce Graves, Russell Thomas, Damien Geter, Jasmine Barnes, Johanny Navarro, Samara Joy, Vanisha Gould, Patrick Zimmerli, Joshua Espinoza, Pasquale Grasso, Konrad Paszkudzki, Marion Cowings, Gabrielle Stravelli, and Micheal Mc Elroy.

Joshua is a graduate of The New School and is currently the 2023 Artist in Residence for The Square House Project, and the Artist in Residence at The Historic Victory Grill.

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