We are really excited to bring this Huntsville-based guitarist for his first appearance at Barking Legs. Give him a listen here!

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.