David MacKenzie & Josh Johnston
Cool Jazz & Hot Rhythms

David - classically-trained violinist, and Principal Second Violin with the National Symphony Orchestra,

Josh - pianist and composer, graduate of the Popular Music School at Salford University

From Dublin, David is a classically trained violinist whose career has seen him hold orchestral posts in England, Wales, Holland and Ireland. He is currently leader of the second violins in the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland and has given many solo recitals and performances. He composes prolifically, writing much of his & Josh's repertoire, and also composes for theatre and film, various productions recently receiving debuts in the United States and Ireland.

From Dun Laoghaire, Josh studied Popular Music in the University of Salford, graduating as a pianist, band leader and composer. He is well-known as being a versatile musician throughout the music industry, being the pianist in the band of Birr singer/songwriter Roesy for six years as well as having appeared on stage and record with Kila, Declan O'Rourke, Noelie McDonnell, Irish tenor Karl Scully and many others. He is also the resident organist at the Unitarian Church in Dublin.

David & Josh hail from quite different musical backgrounds but have been playing jazz together for the past four years. Musically, they take the swing jazz of Stephan Grappelli as a starting point but also add elements of other styles such as blues and Latin jazz to create an enjoyable and refreshing mix of standards and original compositions.

Having spent three years honing their craft on stages across Ireland, they took time off in 2004 to record their debut CD, A Minor Happiness in the RTE radio studios in Donnybrook. The album perfectly reflects the contrasting styles and dynamics within the duos repertoire; from blues to ballads, swing to Latin. Seven of the tracks are David's original compositions and the sheer quality of these tunes is testament to a composing talent waiting to be noticed.

They returned to the concert stage in October 2004 to promote the CD with a 9-date tour. Since then, they have proven themselves as an entertaining live act and they are currently taking bookings for 2009.

In June 2008, they released their 2nd CD, Notes Home. Engineered by Brian Masterson, it is a beautiful-sounding album and a welcome addition to the duo's recorded output. Joining the duo on the album and onstage for the tour to promote it are acclaimed Irish musicians Stephen McFarlane (guitar), Andrew Czibi (double bass) and Robbie Harris (percussion). The collection is made up entirely of original compositions - they just like to feel they're standards that haven't been discovered yet. Come in while there's still time and share the secret that is David MacKenzie & Josh Johnston.