Meet Joshua Thompson | Musician & Creative Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Joshua Thompson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joshua, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My thought process behind my brand Taste and Treble was really rooted in wanting to create a space for musical artists to tell their creative stories outside of the space and identity that comes with being an artist and performer. Being an artist myself, when Covid came it was a reality check for me, for the music industry and small business, but it was also a space of creative opportunity. Cooking has always been therapy for me, and the same way I enjoy playing diverse genres, I also enjoy diverse and unique cuisine. With so many artists and businesses having to pivot their approach, I sensed the shift to help artists of both industries by creating and promoting impact-driven content that would allow them to share their ingredients for success through turning music into culinary art.

I like to call it ‘The Ultimate Playlist on a Plate’, It’s not often both languages speak as one, so I wanted to be intentional in producing a platform for the senses that prompts creative storytelling in a cutting-edge and exciting fashion. Since 2020, I’ve been blessed to work with amazing creatives in front of and behind the camera in the pursuit of Taste and Treble Productions being the table where both industries can celebrate our diversity, entrepreneurship, and culture.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My name is Joshua Thompson also known as ‘JqualiT (‘Jay Quality’) I’m a professional saxophonist, producer, and creative entrepreneur. Originally from Fresno, CA and I reside in Long Beach, CA I’ve had over 20 years of experience in the music industry working with both major and independent artists throughout LA and across the nation. I’ve had versatile experiences in both music and business, before I decided to start pursuing music full-time I was on a journey to pursue entertainment law, although it wasn’t my passion it became the area where I learned a lot about business organization, and really understanding people. I had to overcome quite a few things, self-consciousness that came with taking the entrepreneurial leap for one. I was working corporate and doing gigs on nights and weekends for quite some time, and had a healthy balance affiliating myself with several platforms over the course of 6 years and landing great regular gigs with my own band.

I prided myself in being as consistent and ambitious as possible, and once Covid hit and I had been let go from the real estate brokerage I was working at in 2020 I knew I had to make a decision to grow in an uncomfortable season. I believe one of the key differences that sets me apart is my belief. It sounds cliche, but I believe practicing the habit of belief in attaining a higher goal, a higher state of success, a deeper network, whatever the pursuit is belief is what determines the trajectory of the ship that your business is on and that grounds you as a person. The mindset of the business and its owner will always elevate or disintegrate before the body of the business does, and one thing about me is I bend, but I don’t break. The thought of giving up is way worse to me than the setbacks I’ve experienced throughout my life.

Even in turning my series into a production company had its challenges. I really didn’t have excess money to produce content, let alone pay creatives to help me bring it to life. However, through diving into what I had learned about being a Sole proprietor through my music business I was able to take advantage of applying for grants and I was able to leverage nearly $15K during the Pandemic to employ contractors and invest in equipment and location expenses. In addition, learning patience as a producer and at times having to wear multiple hats in pre and post production helped me to learn some much needed lessons in delegation and working with the right people who understood my vision.

One of the biggest challenges but proudest moments in production was our Finale Episode from Season 1 with my guests Hip-Hop lyricist and producer Tia P. and owner of Til’ The Last Bite and Til’ The Last Sip Wines, Chef Jenene McKay. Each episode we incorporated a live artist performance, and I wanted this to have an SNL BTS vibe and actually have guests come and experience our production live. Murphy’s Law showed no mercy that day, from having to drive to the IE to get sound equipment that was supposed to be delivered, parking issues, all the way to cops being called during our production, there were uncontrollable situations that day. However, the production, the food, the decor, the crew, the musicians were all phenomenal, and I am thankful to everyone who was a part of that and trusted me in that process because I was able to see what was possible for the future, and I felt that everyone had my back, and they did not let me sweat the small stuff. If I could do it all again I’d still keep the same crew, but downsize just a tad lol.

While there’s still challenges today in my pursuit to monetize and attain more funding given the current economy, I’m thankful that I know how to adapt, and that I utilized an unpredictable season of my life to be able to build something that I know is bigger than myself.

What I want people to understand and experience through Taste and Treble is that’s it goes beyond your typical podcast or food blog. No shade to any of those things, but it’s a safe space where flavor and sound can be the catalyst for artists of both industries to believe in themselves and see their stories told in an authentic way to inspire their audiences. The songwriter, the restauranteur, the audiophile, the pastry chef, can all sit at the same dinner table and fellowship. When we ask our guests the question ‘What does your dream taste like?’ the way their eyes light up is what ignites the passion and excitement in me to put that on a plate for others to experience. I truly believe that we as artists can find ways outside of what we do to give back to one another and find diverse ways within our marketplace to push the needle further, not just in business but as a reflection of our core values and beliefs as creatives.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If we’re taking a trip down the 405 some of my favorite spots include Universal Studios and the Hollywood Bowl. If you’ve never taken the backlot tour at Universal and seen just how massive the compound and park is then you have to truly see see the magic that comes behind the scenes with making movies. And you absolutely have to experience a concert at the Bowl on a warm Summer night, you can’t not get points on date night with that. And if you really want to put some spice into your life make a reservation at La Descarga and enjoy a hidden getaway with amazing Cuban rum cocktails, dancing, and live music. (If I give too many of my secret spots I’ll have to start a blog lol)

If we’re talking lunch in the Valley then I highly recommend The Sushi Spot in Tarzana or Sugarfish in Santa Monica. Some of the best sushi, and if you really want to be spontaneous go to a spot you can get Omakase sushi and leave it to the chef to give you a great culinary experience at his leisure.

I’m a bit of a history nerd so I love going to museums and seeing different exhibits, The Broad, The California African American Museum, and The Natural History Museum are all some of my favorite spots to experience art. This past year the immersive pop-up exhibits dedicated to Tupac, Bob Marley, and Jean Paul Basquiat were my favorites!

If we’re going Downtown then enjoying the vibe around Crypto Arena (but to ones that know it’s forever Staples Center) is great for hanging out and watching the game. If you want to experience great drinks, the bartenders at The Continental make one of the best Old Fashioned’s (My favorite!).

You can’t not come to LA and experience the magic that comes out of Inglewood and Leimert Park, some of LA’s best musicians and personal friends of mine are always performing and through doing so we intentionally support local black businesses and independent artists, it’s mandatory that you tap in to the real LA! Shoutout to Tha Juice Joint, Black Arts District, Jazz In Compton, Black on the Block, there’s nothing like celebrating black creativity and culture with people you care about.

My personal getaway spot is actually in Rancho Palos Verdes, called Terrenea Resort. I enjoy going there to take a hike, watch the water and just re-center myself on occasion. It’s necessary for my mind and body to just be at rest during busy seasons and in times where being over-stimulated as a creative can be a bit chaotic. I encourage anybody to find a place to unplug and experience that for yourself.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to dedicate this shoutout to one of my best friends, Olawale Arowora. He has been a great and encouraging Creative Director since day one. Often it’s hard to share your big dreams with your friends because you don’t know if you’ll be taken seriously, and you can’t share them with just anybody. But since the first episode he has always had integrity in supporting me in multiple ways, even when we have had different creative visions and approaches. He has seen the sacrifices I’ve had to make, he’s made them right along with me, and most of all cares about doing things in excellence, and having fun while working hard. He’s taught me a lot about maximizing value even when you only have a little bit, he always says ‘All you have is all you need’, and when I look back on just starting a show in the middle of my living to now, it’s really just that that keeps every entrepreneur going. It’s great to see how he has continued to operate in his gift, and he is someone I’d call for the even bigger opportunities down the line.

I also want to dedicate this to the artists, chefs, musicians, and crew that helped to curate these episodes, thus far. Every team on set is always going to be different, and as Black and Brown creatives its not always easy getting the acknowledgement we deserve for our efforts. And for those that I was able to call on more than once, and even those I called when I was in a pinch to assist on set, their integrity and their gifts speak loud and clear.

Website: www.tasteandtreble.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/tasteandtreble

Facebook: www.facebook.com/tasteandtreble

Youtube: www.youtube.com/tasteandtreble

Other: For artists and chefs that are interested in collaborating with us they can reach out to our team at https://tasteandtreble.com/be-our-guest

Image Credits
Deborah Moreau Tyshon Lowe