Joshua Bell is one of the most celebrated violinists of his era. His restless curiosity, passion, and multi-faceted musical interests have earned him the rare title of “classical music superstar.” Recently named the Music Director of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Bell is the first person to hold this post since Sir Neville Marriner formed the orchestra in 1958. Their first recording under Bell's leadership of Beethoven’s 4th and 7th symphonies from Sony Classical debuted at #1 on the Billboard Classical chart. Bell’s recording of the Bach violin concertos with the orchestra will be released September 29, 2014 to coincide with the airing of the HBO documentary special Joshua Bell: A YoungArts MasterClass.

Bell has recorded more than 40 CDs garnering Mercury, Grammy, Gramophone and Echo Klassik awards. Recent releases include, Musical Gifts From Joshua Bell and Friends, French Impressions with pianist Jeremy Denk, the eclectic At Home With Friends, the Defiance soundtrack, Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto with the Berlin Philharmonic, The Red Violin Concerto, Voice of the Violin, and Romance of the Violin, which Billboard named the 2004 Classical CD of the Year, and Bell the Classical Artist of the Year. His discography encompasses critically-acclaimed performances of the major violin repertoire in addition to John Corigliano’s Oscar-winning soundtrack, The Red Violin.

Born in Bloomington, Indiana, Bell received his first violin at age four and at 12 began studying with Josef Gingold, at Indiana University. Two years later Bell came to national attention in his debut with Riccardo Muti and the Philadelphia Orchestra and, at 17, debuted at Carnegie Hall. Bell’s career has now spanned over 30 years as a soloist, chamber musician, recording artist, and conductor and he is
an outspoken advocate for classical music and keeping music education in schools. Bell performs on the 1713 Huberman Stradivarius.