The Moshier-Lebrun Collective has been a part of the Chicago music scene since its formation in early 2007. Best described as modern jazz at the intersection of gospel and art-rock, this band grooves with soul and intellect.
Josh Moshier (piano) and Mike Lebrun (saxophone) first began playing together as students at Northwestern University. It was there that they founded their 4-piece group with the objective of playing melody-driven original tunes that reflect their collective musical backgrounds. Their music has been described by saxophonist John Wojciechowski as "melodically accessible, but at the same time harmonically smart," combining modern jazz language with gospel and art rock influences, among others.
Mike Lebrun has performed in Chicago with such groups as The Red Hot Organ Trio, Bob Perna & Persistance, and The Temptations. Josh Moshier's music has been performed by the Joel Spencer Quartet, Dick Oatts & the Northwestern University Jazz Ensemble, and his arrangements have been published by Hal Leonard. Josh performs with the Max Krucoff Trio, the rock band Detagoh, and he leads and composes for an 11-piece jazz ensemble called One Louder. Mike and Josh were recently selected to present their music at the 2008 Jazz Composers Symposium in Tampa, FL, where Mike's tune "Jambo" won the prize for "Best Small Group Composition."
Recipient of the 2009 Chamber Music America New Jazz Works Grant, Chicago pianist Josh Moshier and saxophonist Mike Lebrun explore their modern jazz soundscapes with a great ensemble of like-minded musicians on their most recent album, Joy Not Jaded. Each contributing nearly half of the compositions, Moshier and Lebrun lead the band through eleven highly organized yet free-flowing originals. Also featured as a special guest is the fleet and sublime guitarist John Moulder.
