Tune town: A spotlight on San Diego musician Joshua White

Jazz pianist Joshua White at the La Jolla Athenaeum Music & Arts Library. (Eduardo Contreras/Union-Tribune)

April 6, 2017 5:12 PM PT

From Jewel, Switchfoot and P.O.D. to Tom Waits, Rocket From The Crypt and Andra Day, this fair city has produced more than its fair share of top talent over the years.

Here’s a look at Joshua White, a local musician that’s worth tuning into now.

About the musician

Established: 2006

Genre: Jazz

Biggest hit: “Scarlet Tanager”

Worst day job: “I have only pursued music.”

If it weren’t for music, I’d be: “Pursuing a Ph.D. in comparative literature at UCLA. I find the study of literature incredibly stimulating, and also how the study of literary texts and traditions from around the world can lead to deeply subtle readings of themes explored, from class, power structures and ideas about what’s most commonly referred to as ‘gender’; to religious beliefs, race and racism, nationalism and xenophobia; to taboos surrounding sex and sexuality.”

Next local gig: April 22 at Dizzy’s (1717 Morena Blvd., Morena District).

Of note: Jazz and funk keyboard legend Herbie Hancock has hailed Joshua White as “a great artist” with “immense talent” and a “daring and courageous approach to improvisation on the cutting edge of innovation.”

“It’s not for me to decide what sets my music apart. I want to continue to nourish my love for books and reading, because, ultimately, that is where I find my inspiration for music. Wrestling with challenging text, or even reading for pleasure, I believe, nurtures one’s ability to visualize - and a strong ability to visualize, coupled with a powerful ability to clearly communicate an idea, are invaluable qualities to have as a musician, or more specifically, a musical improviser. For me, the technical aspects of playing an instrument are secondary to the process of cultivating ideas within one’s own mind.”