JoDavi

Joshua David had just finished cleaning a parking lot when he talked to SN&R about his upcoming four-song EP, And And And And. An employee of a maintenance company started by his grandfather, David had good reason for both taking the day job and making the album: his special lady.

“After my first time meeting her face-to-face, I thought about stepping to her,” he said. “But I felt like she wouldn’t want to waste her time with me if I didn’t have some things together.”

They’re locked into a serious relationship now, but this original nervousness inspired the Stockton native’s first single, “Hot Damn,” for the EP that will be released at Fox & Goose Pub on April 29. Laid over meandering, then bouncy keys, David’s crisp vocals sell the emotion behind wanting to woo this woman with his self-improvement. He showed her the song a couple of weeks into their relationship, and she soon had it “on repeat.”

“She’s from South Africa, so all of her friends from South Africa were calling me ’Mr. Hot Damn’ for the next few months,” he said with a little laugh.

Lyrically, David likes the clever, thoughtful instincts of Motown, but he genre-hops sonically. On an earlier release, “The Temple,” he crafts a stuttering, then swirling orchestra. And on “Immeasurable” he channels the chilly minimalism of James Blake—showcasing the eclectic vibes that wiggle around the edges of his pop-soul sound.

Besides his parking lot gig, David teaches at The Zion Academy of Music and directs the music at The Congregation of Zion, both founded by his pastor father. He credits playing gospel and contemporary songs at church services for making him want to pursue music professionally.

“That’s where I really learned to play the piano,” he said. “You have a regular gig at least once a week, where you have to learn songs and play in front of people. You really get the chance to grow in that setting as a performer and as a musician.”

He prides himself on his production after studying composition at University of the Pacific’s Conservatory of Music. This education allows him occasionally to work on arrangements for horns, strings and orchestra for other artists. And when he writes songs, he usually comes up with the melody first, then finds where the words “fit in.”

As Stockton’s go-to soul act, he plays consistent gigs in the city’s growing downtown scene and has opened for names like Anthony Hamilton, who listened to one of David’s former bands in 2013. Backstage, after David’s set, the respected R&B singer asked him if he was signed (he’s not), then complimented his music.

“That, for me, was one of those life checkpoints,” David said. “[It was] confirmation I’m doing the right thing—that I’m on the right path and I got to keep going.”

To make money along the way, he’ll continue his family traditions. The maintenance job may reveal how “gross” people can be, but he appreciates the contrast to the mild ego trip he experiences onstage.

“It keeps me humble and grounded,” he said. “I enjoy it. I was having a good time today, just blasting music in my headphones, cleaning up stuff. It was cool. It’s not all about me all the time.” - Sacramento News & Review (John Flynn)

NBC Nightly News’ Making A Difference segment reported in January 2013 that Stockton California was “a city in desperate need of change” and the focus was Micheal Tubbs, a 22 year old elected to city council promoting REINVENT Stockton, CA. Echoing Tubbs efforts, is another Stockton Son, Joshua David Washington. He too is 22 years old and on a mission to artistically give back and Reclaim Stockton – giving back something beautiful for the city. The Reclaim Concert is dedicated to the city of Stockton in hopes of inspiring its people through the power of music to Believe, again.

The Zion Academy of Music sponsors the Reclaim Concert in Stockton, California featuring pianist Joshua David Washington and special guest Canadian RnB recording artist Joanna Borromeo with Councilman Michael Tubbs as speaker, Friday, April 12, 2013 at beautiful Weber Point. Gates open at 4:30pm and the concert begins at 5:00pm. Admission is free and concert goers receive a Reclaim wrist band good for the weekend at participating supporting merchants, like Moo Moos Burger Barn. Several supporting partners of The Reclaim Concert are: the City of Stockton, Universal Xperience, City Councilman Michael Tubbs and Promoting Purpose Magazine.

Pianist Joshua Washington native to Stockton, California, designed the Reclaim Concert to inspire a city and its people, counteracting doubt and feelings of hopelessness. Washington says, ''The Reclaim Concert is an artistic effort to serve as a catalyst that there is still hope in Stockton, and to regain ownership of our city. We reject any and all forms of apathy toward Stockton and we strive to bring out the beauty that already exists within her. Once the mindset is changed, actions will follow.'' Washington believes that music is a very powerful inspirational tool that can change hearts and attitudes.

Families and their children can expect LIVE music from Washington and his band, Current Personae that includes vocalists, bass, drums, organ and guitars along with a 30 piece orchestra which includes, strings, woodwinds and brass. A large majority of the musicians were recruited from University of the Pacific where Washington graduated in 2012 earning a bachelor’s degree in Music Composition.

Musicians and singers of all ages and skill levels are encourage to bring their instruments and voices to the concert and perform with the orchestra and band in a community play/sing-a-long of 'Change The World' written by multi-Grammy Award songwriter producer Tommy Sims, one of Washington's major musical influences. Sims wrote 'Change The World' at the age of 16 and later collaborated with Eric Clapton earning a Grammy for Song of the Year.

Washington and Reclaim supporters seek to make the concert an annual event to inspire through music but to also attract new businesses to downtown Stockton and stimulate economic growth for existing businesses. The long term goal is to develop a national model for Reclaim to be replicated in other cities like Stockton. - Caravan News