Joseph Joubert

Joseph Joubert is a hugely versatile musician whose wide-ranging accomplishments and  talent as a pianist, arranger, orchestrator, Broadway conductor, and music director have  taken him around the world. Most recently Mr. Joubert was music director and orchestrator  for Roundabout’s  Gala presenting his newly arranged Pirates of Penzance.  He was guest  conductor for Encore’s Tap Dance Kid and music director and orchestrator for  Roundabout’s Caroline, or Change last season. Earlier this year Mr. Joubert was orchestrator for Ford’s Theatre’s Grace and was music director and orchestrator for American Prophet: Frederick Douglass In His Own Words at the Arena Stage.  

 

He has orchestrated and played for Respect starring Jennifer Hudson as well as conducting the score for Kris Bowers.  This season Mr.  Joubert will be orchestrator and music supervisor for Shout Sister Shout at Ford’s Theatre and orchestrator of Alan Menken’s Hercules at Paper Mill Playhouse.  Mr. Joubert is a sought-after music director for Broadway stars and has collaborated with Cynthia Erivo, Deborah Cox, Ken Page, and recently did a PBS special with Melissa Erico.  

 

Mr. Joubert was  music supervisor and orchestrator for Classic Stage Company’s Carmen Jones starring Anika Noni Rose to rave reviews.  His Broadway orchestration credits include: The Color Purple (Drama Desk Nomination), Disaster, Violet (Drama Desk Nomination), Leap of  Faith, and Caroline, or Change.  He was Musical Director for Berry Gordy’s Motown: The  Musical and was assistant conductor for Nice Work If You Can Get It and Billy Elliot.  Mr. Joubert was Musical Director, Arranger, and Pianist for Norm Lewis’s American Songbook, the PBS Live from Lincoln Center special. Mr. Joubert was orchestrator/musical supervisor and  conductor for the PBS special Three Mo’ Tenors and production of Three Mo Divas.  Mr.  Joubert was an orchestrator for the TV show Smash and the film Nights In Rodanthe.  He  received a Grammy nomination for Best Arrangement Accompanying A Vocal for the Broadway  Inspirational Voices Great Joy.  

 

As a record producer and arranger/orchestrator he has worked with Ashford and Simpson, Diana Ross, George Benson, Patti LaBelle, Whitney Houston, Cissy Houston, Jennifer Holliday, Dionne Warwick, Luther Vandross, Norm Lewis and Diane Reeves.  His orchestrations are used by  symphonies across the USA including The New York Philharmonic and Philadelphia orchestras. He appeared in the Metropolitan Opera’s revival of Porgy and Bess as the piano-player Jasbo Brown. 

 

Critics have hailed Mr. Joubert’s “sensitive and supportive” performances as an accompanist and the “uncommon tonal beauty” of his playing.  He has collaborated with such  classical singers as Denyce Graves, Esther Hinds, Harolyn Blackwell, Florence Quivar, Simon Estes, and Hilda Harris, and performed with Kathleen Battle at the White House for President Bill Clinton as well as Carnegie Hall. 

 

Mr. Joubert is at home arranging and performing in any style from classical to pop, gospel to  Broadway, spiritual to R&B.  He has reinterpreted classic hymns on his solo piano CD Total  Praise and most recent solo piano CD A Mighty Fortress Is Our God: The Joubert Experience  released by GIA Publications.  His published arrangements are performed all over the world.  As  Musical Director for Judy Collins for five years, he performed with the London Symphony and many of the major American orchestras.  He is a founding member of MUSE - musicians united  for social equity.  

 

Born in New York City, the son of a Baptist minister, he began playing the piano at the age of eight and by age sixteen, had made his Town Hall debut with full orchestra. He received his  Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from Manhattan School of Music, where he  studied with Dora Zaslavsky, and won the nationwide piano competition of the National Association of Negro Musicians in 1980. 

 

Here’s a link to Mr. Joubert’s extensive recording catalogue:

https://www.allmusic.com/artist/joseph-joubert-mn0000784075/credits