Josiah DeNooyer is a drummer, composer, pianist and educator originally from Grand Rapids, MI, and currently based just outside of New York in Jersey City, NJ.

As a drummer and pianist he has played with countless artists across Michigan in the “jazz” and jazz-adjacent tradition (including Carlo De Rosa, Matthew Fries, Da’Veonce Washington, Jesse Palter and others) and has recently focused on playing with and writing for his organ quartet, Extensions.

As a composer, Josiah’s most recent accomplishment was the 2024 release of his debut album of original music for string and jazz quartet entitled Fragments, a passion project inspired by the poetry of Langston Hughes, Amiri Baraka, and some original poems. In 2022, he had the opportunity to study composition and performance at the Ravinia Steans Music Institute with Rufus Reid, Steve Wilson and Billy Childs.

As an educator, Josiah has directed and coached various ensembles across Michigan including the Kalamazoo Youth Jazz Orchestra and various other high-school level audition-based groups.

As a community member, he has organized and hosted a multiple-year series of weekly and bi-weekly jam sessions, worked in numerous after-school music programs, and constantly seeks to bring people together through music.