Josh Friedman

With a background as a classical double bassist specializing in symphonic and operatic production, Josh is passionate about the art of events. Originally from California, he combines a playful sensibility with a highly developed integration of multi-disciplinary art forms to curate extraordinary experiences. Josh is the founder of ÉLAN ARTISTS which is a family of performance specialists with offices throughout the United States and Europe.

ÉLAN ARTISTS is recognized as a leading entertainment, performance, and headliner production company both nationally and internationally. Specializing in custom, innovative, and deeply impactful immersive entertainment experiences, our roster includes award-winning recording artists, high caliber musicians, handpicked Broadway, cabaret/cirque actors, singers, and dancers, multi-media artists, and elite DJs. ÉLAN also identifies and produces headliner talent, facilitating streamlined and effective celebrity entertainment for a broad spectrum of events.

ÉLAN ARTISTS performs for upper echelon social, corporate, branding, fashion, gala, and wedding events; notably at Barack Obama’s Inaugural Balls, the Clinton Foundation Galas, White House and State Department Dinners, the Alvin Ailey Gala, Martha Stewart Weddings, CAA, and Goldman Sachs. ÉLAN has also provided in-house entertainment and thematic programming for luxury fashion brands including Hermes, Ralph Lauren, Valentino, LVMH, Ferrari, for elite cultural institutions, notably the LA Phil, Hamilton, Carnegie Hall, Madison Square Garden, and NYPL, and prestigious universities, Harvard, Columbia, and NYU amongst others. ÉLAN has curated personal entertainment for Martha Stewart, George Soros, CAA founder Michael Ovitz, Jerry Bruckheimer, and Gwyneth Paltrow in addition to performing at the weddings of George Lucas, Michael Jordan, Sofia Vergara, and Serena Williams to name a few.

Recently, ÉLAN ARTISTS has either produced or shared stages with celebrity performers including Usher, Diana Ross, Journey, Stevie Wonder, John Legend, Alicia Keys, Pitbull, Jennifer Lopez, Enrique Iglesias, Sean Paul, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, and Keith Urban.