SHOWTIMES: 7:30PM AND 9:30PM. Josh Couts is a versatile jazz guitarist with a strong foundation in bebop and hard bop as well South American classical guitar.  That foundation combined with his unique composition style and ever broadening approach to improvisation makes Josh’s music seem familiar yet new.  

Josh’s latest album The General Dance was released in 2025. It features original compositions in varying styles that highlight Josh’s broad musical influences from classic and modern jazz to Brazilian music. The album features a quintet comprised of Gary Wheat, Choko Aiken, Nick Walker, and CJ Brown. Josh’s other releases as a leader include All Things Green (2022) and Time Marching On (2018). The 2022 release All Things Green features bassist Curtis Lundy, pianist Louis Heriveaux, and drummer Terreon Gully.

In addition to a formal education in music, including a Masters degree from Longy School of Music of Bard College, Josh has gained a wealth of knowledge and understanding of performing by being on the bandstand with jazz greats such as Bobby Watson, Curtis Lundy, and Vincent Chancey.

In addition to composing, performing, and recording, he currently teaches guitar and jazz combos at University of Alabama in Huntsville and Alabama School of Fine Arts in Birmingham. 

For this show at The Velvet Note, guitarist Josh Couts will be joined by saxophonist Gary Wheat, pianist Louis Heriveaux, bassist Nick Walker, and drummer CJ Brown. The band will be exploring Josh’s original compositions and some hard bop favorites.