We knew there was something special about our Top 25 Women of Chicago honoree Taj Mhoon. What we didn’t know was that her gift was also coursing through the veins of her 10-year-old son Joshua, a classically trained pianist.
He’s been wowing audiences and winning competitions since he began playing the piano in 2010. With less than two years experience as a musician, Joshua won first place at the prestigious Grandquist Music Competition and honors at a National Junior Music Festival. Since that time, he has won three more awards!
Joshua’s former piano teacher, Dr. Harry Steckman remarked, “what was amazing to me was the speed with which he picked it up … With my experience, I haven’t come across a child that learns that fast.” Dr. Steckman even compared Joshua to historic child piano prodigy, Mozart.
Recently, actor and Hollywood executive Nick Cannon introduced American jazz pianist ELEW and Joshua who opened for The Jacksons at Lincoln Center for the 2013 Ebony Power 100 Gala in New York.
Read what young Joshua has to say.
What do you enjoy most about music?
I like everything about it…the fundamentals, the techniques. Sometimes the music makes me feel emotional…it moves me. You feel like music is a story and you can’t get out of it. [Achille-Claude] Debussy’s song, “Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum” makes you feel like it lulls you to sleep in the middle of it.
What are your first memories of loving to play music?
My first memory was when I was practicing and learned a song….the song made me happy and excited and I really enjoyed playing it. I don’t recall the song or the specific moment. I just remember playing the song fast and it made me happy.
How often do you practice?
While I don’t enjoy practicing, I practice every day for at least an hour, including holidays. I would rather play video games or go outside to play baseball.
Describe your musical vision for yourself in the future.
I would like to be the next Michael Jackson – Times Square, Billboards, performing on New Year’s Eve in NYC, traveling the world, and helping people.
Describe what you enjoy about classical music.
I enjoy the movement of my fingers while playing classical music…my fingers have to be flexible and nimble when playing. I also enjoy playing piano duets.
Describe what you enjoy about jazz.
I like the way that jazz music feels. It has a sort of feeling to it that gets me really excited.
What are your favorite cities to perform in?
I love the energy of New York. it has a very cool feeling to it. Athens, Greece was nice because it was very pretty. I was aboard a ship and the sun was setting as I was playing and it was beautiful.
Who are three of your favorite classical music composers?
[Wolfgang Amadeus] Mozart, [Achille-Claude] Debussy and [Ludwig van] Beethoven – Mozart because I like all of the feelings in his work depending on the pieces. Debussy because it’s very soothing and soft. Sometimes it’s funny sounding..initially it doesn’t match or fit but as the songs progress, they seem to turn into a more understandable song. Debussy’s music creates images in your head. I love how rhythmic and loud Beethoven’s pieces can be.
What have been the biggest moments of your music career so far?
Performing at the EBONY Power 100 Gala at Lincoln Center in NYC was a lot of fun! I enjoyed meeting people like Don Thompson, Magic Johnson, John Rogers, Berry Gordy and others. We talked about the music industry, economics, piano and life.
It was an honor to perform for Mayor [Rahm] Emanuel and the Vice Premier of China in Chicago at Pritzker Pavilion.
What are your favorite computer games?
NBA 2K13, MLB 2K13 and Call of Duty
Dream performance: Who would you like to perform on stage with tomorrow if you could?
I would love to perform with Lang Lang because it seems he would be fun to play duets with since he’s so intense with his music. It’s pretty cool and exciting to watch him play piano.
I would have loved to have performed with Michael Jackson because he seems to be a nice, cool guy to perform with. I would have loved to have played “Thriller”, “Smooth Criminal”, “They Really Don’t Care About Us” and some of his other songs.
Who are you top five musical influences?
I have more than 5 … Mozart, Bach, Beethoven, Vivaldi, Khatchatorian, Janelle Monae, Bruno Mars, Michael Jackson, and Wynton Marsalis.
