Joshua Caraco took piano lessons as a child but never really practiced and eventually gave up on being a musician. Then, in 2008, he studied abroad in Senegal in college where he began taking Kora lessons from a djeli (griot) named Baba Kouyate. Upon returning, Josh was able to continue studying Kora with Karamo Susso and Solo Cissokho, joining them and several SF Bay Area Kora players in the Symphony of Koras. Josh later studied with Yacouba Sissoko. Joshua has deep respect for the traditional music of the Kora. As an outsider, not serving a traditional purpose--but also not particularly good at other instruments--Josh has recently sought to expand his use of Kora as an instrument capable of being played in different styles and spaces.

In 2019, Joshua began working with South African dancer Tumelo Michael Moloi and in 2021 they were invited to be guest performers with Portland royalty Pink Martini. 

In 2022, Josh won an artist grant from Lane Arts Council. Later that year, he and Moloi collectively received a very special Creative Heights grant from Oregon Community Foundation which they used to create the spectacular show "Sanibonani (Hello, How Are You?)".

Recently, Joshua traveled to Boston as a participant in the Silkroad Project's Global Musician Workshop.

Among side projects, Josh is in the new band Shamwari feat. Gilbert Zvamaida. He also plays afro-mexican Son Jarocho with community group Eugene Taller de Son Jarocho.

For questions, including but not limited to those concerning performances, lessons, grant writing, and producing shows, visit our contact page.