All About Josh Pajak
Josh Pajak is a prolific and versatile musician whose work spans performance, composition, recording, and education. His musical interests encompass a variety of genres, including jazz, Latin, classical, rock, pop, indie, funk, country, and countless other styles. While studying at Berklee College of Music, he had the opportunity to perform alongside exceptional musicians from around the world. Throughout his career, Josh has performed and worked as a session drummer with numerous artists across Michigan, Boston, New York City, and the greater Midwest.
In May 2022, Josh graduated magna cum laude from Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, earning a Bachelor of Music in Performance with percussion as his principal instrument. Ultimately, Josh was selected to participate in Berklee’s highly competitive Berklee Global Jazz Institute, directed by acclaimed pianist Danilo Pérez. He also performed extensively with internationally renowned saxophonist Jacques Schwarz-Bart, both on and off campus.
In the Boston area, Josh is a dynamic drummer performing with Brian Cogger’s ensemble of professional jazz musicians. The group appears regularly throughout Salem and Greater Boston, bringing vibrant, engaging performances to audiences across the region. He also drums, sings, plays piano and writes songs with the indie/psychedelic/prog rock band, Time Miser, that performs in various venues including the Jungle in Somerville, MA. Additionally, he played piano with the Ryan Kaiserman band, and drummed and sang with the band, Fish Island.
With his Michigan-based indie duo, Weekend Hours, Josh Pajak co-writes songs and lyrics, while also acting as the band’s lead vocalist, drummer, and pianist. On A2pulp.org, Curtis Porter described their innovative music as follows: “Weekend Hours writes extremely catchy but complex pop songs that revel in clever arrangements and harmonic playfulness.” Thus far, this duo has released the album When You’re Here and several singles. They have performed in both online events and in-person Michigan venues, including the Blind Pig in Ann Arbor, and their music has been streamed by thousands of people in more than 75 countries.
At the Boston School of Music Arts, Josh teaches drum, piano, and voice lessons to students of all ages and experience levels. He also leads group classes through the school’s summer camp programs, as well as his own "Drum City" program, where students explore improvisation and develop foundational rhythmic skills through hand percussion and drum set performance.
Josh encourages his students to explore a wide range of musical genres while developing their creativity through original composition. Many of these student works are featured in recitals. Several of his students have even performed alongside him at Carnegie Hall and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Dedicated to making music both engaging and rewarding, Josh combines enjoyment with learning and adapts to each student's unique learning style and goals. He also helps percussion students prepare for snare drum solos, competitions, ensemble performances and college auditions.
Additionally, Josh taught private lessons for drummers, vocalists, and keyboardists through the School of Rock in Rochester, Michigan, and, over the years, participated in various Michigan-based bands. These include Red Herring, Patty Hype, the Nick Holder Jazz Quartet, and Forrest Trump.
