Joshua Winslow Groban, better known as Josh Groban, is a North American philanthropist, singer, composer, actor, producer and songwriter. Four of his solo discs became multi-platinum, and in 2007 he was named one of the best-selling artists in the United States. He has sold over 21 million discs. To date, more than 35 million copies have been sold worldwide.
Biography
Josh Groban was born on 02/27/1981 in Los Angeles, California. His father is Jewish by birth, has Ukrainian and Polish roots, and his mother is Norwegian. Christopher Groban, his younger brother, was born on the same day as him, but four years later.
Josh made his debut as a singer in seventh grade, but later retired for several years. Between 1997 and 1998, he attended the Interlochen Arts Camp Center in Michigan, courses in musical theater. Then he began to take vocal lessons at this school. In addition, in 1998 he met his mentor and producer David Foster.
Josh Groban attended the Los Angeles County Graduate School of the Arts and graduated in 1999. He later graduated from the Department of Dramatic Art at Carnegie Mellon University, and a year later signed a contract for recording at Warner Bros. Records thanks to David Foster.
Groban worked with Foster as a singer for rehearsals in several famous shows, including taking part in the 1999 Grammys, where instead of Andrea Bocelli, he rehearsed The Prayer with Celine Dion.
Career
Groban left Carnegie Mellon after just four months of the first semester when Warner Bros. Records offered him a record deal. Regarding him, Foster said: “I like his natural ability for pop and rock music, but even more I like his predisposition to classical music. This is a real“ musical power ”that needs to be revealed.” Thus, under the patronage of Foster, Josh Groban's debut album was recorded in a classical style. It included songs like Gira Con Me and Alla Luce Del Sole.
Under the tutelage of Foster, Groban performed There For Me with Sarah Brightman on the La Luna World Tour in 2000–2001, starring in the Luna DVD concert. Shortly afterwards, he performed There For Me with Sarah Brightman and For Always with Lara Fabian for the movie Artificial Intelligence, directed by Steven Spielberg. He also began participating in charity shows. Among them:
- "Grand Slam Event: Andre Agassi for Children," with Don Hanley, Elton John, Ronan Keating and Robin Williams, The Corrs and Stevie Wonder;
- Muhammad Ali Foundation: Fight Night;
- "Family Party" organized to fight cancer;
Josh was a guest celebrity in the TV series "Ellie McBeal."
His first album was released in 2001 under the name Josh Groban, and the following year he received the Golden Disc Award for it. In February 2002, he performed at the closing ceremony of the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics with The Prayer, performing a song with Charlotte Church. In November of the same year, he appeared at the PBS Special, and in December he sang at the Nobel Peace Prize concert in Oslo, and then at the Vatican at the Christmas concert. His Noel album was the best-selling in 2007, with a print run of more than 5 million copies.
Creativity: the best
Josh Groban has currently released 8 studio albums, 4 live albums and over 30 singles. Among this variety, 7 songs that are loved by everyone can be distinguished:
- You Raise Me Up. Until now, Groban has never performed a song more ambitious, epic or vocally impressive than You Raise Me Up. No matter what kind of music you like, listen to this song. This is not just his best song, but it is a composition that no one could sing like Groban.
- You Are Loved (Don't Give Up). Many great singles have been released over the years, but You Are Loved is the best of all. After listening to this song by Josh Groban, in the end it’s hard not to perk up at what you just heard.
- I Believe. When a performer tries himself in pop music, this is usually terrifying. Groban more than successfully overcame this trend. His cover of Stevie Wonder’s hit turned out to be fantastic. He slowed down the song and put his whole soul into it, so that we understood that he really can sing whatever he wants.
- February Song. Awake's album remains the best creation. Thanks to him, we got the February Song, a beautiful track in which there are wonderful singer vocal data that will be remembered for a long time.
- Remember When It Rained. This song went almost unnoticed when it became the second single from the album Groser Closer, and for this there is no reason. “Remember When It Rained” is an excellent vocal narrative in which Groban shows the clarity of his voice and the high notes for which he is so loved by the public. Do not confuse this version of the song with the subsequent re-release with the participation of Judith Hill, which is also good, but far from the original.
- In Her Eyes. You can fully understand the story and the point of view of the narrator through the work. This song is passionate, decisive, and not like ordinary pop music. Close your eyes and you will see how the performer sings with his heart.
- To where you are. Outside the opera world, there is nobody who has such clean vocals as Josh Groban. To Where You Are is a ballad melting in the heart that wonderfully demonstrates his talent.
Charity
Together with his mentor David Foster, Josh Groban performed at various charity events. These include:
- VH1 Save the Music;
- "Concert of Hope";
- Live 8;
- The Heart Foundation Gala;
- "David Foster and Friends Charity Evening."
Visiting South Africa with Nelson Mandela, he created the D. Groban Foundation to help African children with education and medical care. N. Mandela elected him the official ambassador for his foundation, aimed at helping AIDS victims in Africa.