Josh Groban: IXS

Josh Groban is a 25-year-old baritone who hasLadysmith Black Mambazo, Dave Matthews, Glen
tremendous contributions in revolutionizing the musicBallard, Eric Mouquet, John Ondrasik (Five for Fighting)
world. He was born in Los Angeles, California. With aMarius DeVries, David Foster, Imogen Heap and Herbie
classical voice combined with the young energy andHancock.
appeal of a rock star, Josh Groban offers a refreshing"Awake's" 13 new songs including the just released
alternative to the standard Top 40 fare. Crossing thefirst single, "You Are Loved (Don't Give Up)" show the
boundaries that define radio's musical genres--pop,Grammy nominated Groban's tremendous growth as
classical, rock--his music combines elements ofa vocalist, producer and songwriter since he first
romantic classical pieces with the beats and theappeared on the musical landscape.
synthesized sounds of world music. In addition toWith a lineup of stellar producers including Marius
English, Josh sings in Italian, French, and Spanish, butDeVries, Guy Sigsworth, Glen Ballard and David Foster,
doesn't speak those languages fluently.the album contains songs in Italian, Spanish and of
Josh is also a talented instrumentalist and composercourse English. An early stand-out, "February Song"
besides being a great vocalist. He plays both piano andwith Josh on keyboards came to the 25-year-old Los
drums, and he co wrote three of the songs on Closer,Angeles native on a sleepless night. “
his second album which ultimately encouraged him toAdditionally, Groban recorded a suite of two stunningly
write his own songs for his future albums.haunting songs where he harmonizes with longtime
Pop and classical ([ ) singer Josh Groban made hisidols Ladysmith Black Mambazo. The first song, the
debut in the seventh grade, but then put music asideGroban/Dave Mattthews penned "Lullaby" is sung a
for a few years until he enrolled at the Interlochen Artscappella and the follow up, the South African song,
Program. In late 1998, he hooked up with a friend of his"Weeping" which Josh first heard on a trip to South
vocal coach, producer/writer/arranger David Foster.Africa. "The musical tapestry of the country and their
Groban worked for Foster as a rehearsal singer on aheated history, the honor of meeting Nelson Mandela
series of high-profile events, including the inaugurationand visiting schools in Soweto was totally inspiring. And,
of Grey Davis as governor of California and theit was a dream of a lifetime for me to sing with
Grammy Awards (at which he rehearsed Foster'sLadysmith in the studio. I've loved them from the
"The Prayer" with Celine Dion in place of Andreamoment I heard Paul Simon's Graceland."
Bocelli).Josh Groban dominated the international music scene
He successfully got admission into the theaterin 2001 with the release of his self-titled debut album
department of Carnegie Mellon College. However, Hefeaturing the hit single, "To Where You Are." His follow
was lucky enough to get a recording contract atup CD "Closer" with the smash hit "You Raise Me Up"
Warner Bros which temporarily halted his education.Hebrought enormous success to the young singing
made his recording debut singing "For Always" withsensation. He has made scores of television
Lara Fabian on the soundtrack to A.I.: Artificialappearances beginning with Ally McBeal and continuing
Intelligence, and appeared in the 2001 season finale ofwith countless performances on Oprah Winfrey, Good
the television series Ally McBeal.Morning America, The Today Show, two PBS specials,
His first wonderful achievement was his debut album,the Superbowl, the Oscars and the closing ceremonies
Josh Groban, that was released in November 2001of the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics with an audience
and Luckily, it proved to be big hit. Within a Year,of over 2 billion people.
Groban was a rising star. His album went doubleHis first PBS Special went on to become the No. 1
platinum, and he had his own PBS special in Novemberselling DVD of 2002. On the touring front, Groban
2002. A month later, he performed "To Where Youstarted out his now legendary 40-city concert tour
Are" and "The Prayer" at the Nobel Peace Prize(which sold out in a record breaking 20 minutes) and
Concert in Oslo, Norway, and joined the Corrs, Ronanthen went straight forward to a two year arena tour
Keating, Sting, Lionel Richie, and others for a holidayacross the US.A Josh Groban tour for 2007 is
performance at the Vatican in Rome. His secondexpected to be announced shortly.
album was released in November 2003. Two monthsJosh has admitted to being a romantic person, using
later, he earned his first number one record whenmusic to express the emotions that he normally
Closer skyrocketed from number 11 to the top spot onwouldn't feel comfortable saying otherwise.
the Billboard album charts. In 2006, Groban released hisJosh is a performer with a meticulous eye to detail. He
third studio album, Awake, featuring guestspends hours learning the meaning of every song he
appearances by the vocal group Ladysmith Blackrecords, perfecting the pronunciation of his foreign
Mambazo and jazz pianist Herbie Hancock. ~ Williamlanguage songs, and working with the producer to
Ruhlmann, All Music Guideensure that the finished product is impeccable. He
He was a very successful and a very populartakes a very "hands-on" approach to all aspects of his
musician. He's sold over 14 million albums worldwide,music and his tour production.
had a #1 album and four #1 singles, and beenA typical, perfecting the pronunciation of his foreign
nominated for a Grammy, American Music Award,language songs, and working with the producer to
World Music Award, and People's Choice Award.ensure that the finished product is impeccable. He
Groban's 'hands on' approach in the creative processtakes a very "hands-on" approach to all aspects of his
of "Awake" is reflected in several Groban penned andmusic and his tour production.
produced songs along with musical contributions from