Composer, arranger, copyist, and saxophonist Joseph Herbst uses music as a medium for storytelling, often as part of collaborative projects, in order to push ourselves to see the world in different ways while strengthening our sense of community. Though adept in a variety of styles, Joseph’s musical signature is shaped by his years at Michigan State University, combining his classical saxophone studies with internationally acclaimed saxophonist, Joe Lulloff, his arranging & composition studies with and music supervision for Etienne Charles, and his jazz saxophone and composition studies with Diego Rivera. Since 2018, Joseph has been leading multiple projects, starting with “This is Our Environment” and the Joseph Herbst Sextet, an evolving project that brings together original music, spoken word, and environmental justice in order to challenge our understanding of the environment to push us towards a more just and equitable society founded on a sense of community. Joseph also leads his own big band, performing original compositions and arrangements in themed shows, including “Coltrane Celebration” featuring the words and writings of Coltrane performed alongside music inspired by the life of Coltrane and “This Magical World” featuring music inspired by Bill Watterson’s Calvin & Hobbes accompanied by coloring books designed by Michael Cole.
When not leading his own projects, Joseph is working avidly as a composer, arranger, saxophonist, and copyist. Joseph’s arrangements have been performed by many world-class musicians, including Etienne Charles, Rodney Whitaker, Mark Whitfield, and Harvey Mason, as well as commissions by Rodney Whitaker for the Dr. Phillips Jazz Orchestra, Michael Dease, the UNT Jazz Trombone Ensemble, and the Sencalar/Glassman Quintet. With a goal of assisting bandleaders, Joseph works regularly as a copyist, most notably with Etienne Charles and Tomplay.
In bios, many artists discuss their influences. I believe that the most unique influences on my music are those which are outside of music, those which deeply affect my life. My first big influences include Star Trek, Airplane, and Calvin and Hobbes. Now, I’ve fallen in love with animation and draw inspiration from the storytelling, character development, colors, music, sounds and more of shows such as Steven Universe, Adventure Time, She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, Avatar the Last Airbender, The Legend of Korra, Gravity Falls, The Owl House, Amphibia, Kipo, Hilda, and Infinity Train.
