Joshua Taylor performs soul, blues, rock, folk, and jazz, reflecting a life of diverse musical influences. Beginning with his education in Annapolis, his Navy service at sea and ashore impacted his life and his music. “Everyone has their own flavor of the basic human experiences,” he says, “and I think that’s part of what makes a good lyric so compelling. People look to musicians to express those parts of themselves they find hardest to articulate.”
Taylor started performing around town in 2011. "My first stage shows were at Lestat’s West, thanks to our departed pal, Louie Brazier. I’ve played many of San Diego’s local festivals, like Adams Avenue Unplugged, Street Fair, OB Beach Fest, and the San Diego County Fair in Del Mar."
A debut album was recorded in 2015 with producer Sven-Erik Seaholm. Guest players included Sandi King of local duo 22 Kings, with whom Taylor toured that year for their second national trek (they later married). Album personnel include drummer Shane Fitzgibbon, bassist Kory McAfee (Josh Damigo, Stevie & the Hi-Staxx), and keyboardist Josh Weinstein (Stevie & the Hi-Staxx). "Trumpeter Ron King [JazzKatz Project featuring Whitney Shay] and Ed 'Muggles' Croft came in and did some killer horn work on the album," Taylor told the Reader.
Taylor also works as a session singer and guitarist on producer Jeff Berkley’s Satellite Studio roster. His guitar playing can be heard on Lauren Leigh, 2021 San Diego Music Award-winning single “Trust Fall,” her 2020 EP Flare, and her album Ghost in the Picture. He's the featured guitarist on Jonny Tarr’s 2020 album Tough Stuff, and his studio work and stage performances also include backing up area artists such as Rebecca Jade, Nick Crook, and Josh Weinstein, as well as tribute bands Pink Froyd and High Tide Society.
Asked about his best and worst gigs, he says "I think that depends on where my head is at. For me, the best gigs come from being prepared enough to relax into a set and just communicate honestly with a receptive audience, which can be as few as one really engaged listener. Conversely, the worst gigs are when I feel under-prepared, self-conscious, and either nobody is listening or I haven't put myself in the right headspace to be receptive to the positive aspects of the gig. Maybe somebody was listening and I missed it, or maybe nobody was listening but I could have taken the opportunity to just people-watch and enjoy the paid rehearsal."
"I have a new album called Unscene coming out October 30, my 39th birthday, it was completely crowdfunded," said Taylor in Autumn 2022. Recorded with Jeff Berkley and Sven-Erik Seaholm, "This album was largely funded by a house show series Sandi King and I put on right here in San Diego, in the homes of some of our biggest longtime supporters." Guests include his wife, as well as Lauren Leigh (vocals), Ted Stern (pedal steel), Sam Hunt (guitars), Josh Weinstein (keys), Harley Magsino (bass), and John Perkins (drums).