Nanaimo, BC-based multi-instrumentalist and composer Joshua Gellman shares his joyfully eclectic new full-length album Speak To My Dreams, led by the heartfelt and horn-laced opener “Walkin’.” The album is a vibrant showcase of Gellman’s diverse musical roots – spanning soul, R&B, jazz, Latin, and more – and is grounded in the clarity of a singular artistic voice. Overflowing with warmth, groove, and emotional honesty, Speak To My Dreams is a celebration of connection, evolution, and the spirit of collaboration.

“Walkin’” captures the confident energy of emotional truth – an expressive declaration of love moving beyond friendship. Rooted in jazz sensibilities and rich with radiant horn lines, the track’s groove is effortless yet deeply felt. “It’s telling someone, ‘I’ve been walking by your side this whole time, and now I want to walk with you in a different way – something deeper, something more,’” says Gellman. “I wanted it to feel like the easy, confident stride you get when you finally decide to be honest with yourself and the person that you care about.”

Chosen as the album’s opening track, “Walkin’” immediately sets the tone for the journey ahead – a lively, uplifting burst of energy that welcomes listeners in with rhythm, soul, and personality. The song features a stellar cast of collaborators, including Anatol McGinnis on Bass, Andrew Rollins on Drums, Tristan Armstrong on Electric Guitar, Marta Garrett on backup vocals, Phil Hamelin on trumpet and horn arrangements, and an ensemble of Vancouver Island Jazz Studies alumni: Matt Carter, Ron Gaucher, Darren Nilsson, and beloved teacher Steve Jones.

Joshua’s keyboard solo in the track’s dynamic mid-section spotlights the song’s emotional depth and spontaneity. “It’s raw, it’s dynamic, and it builds excitement for the finale that feels like a celebration,” he reflects. “The horn parts give it that punch and sparkle, but also a deep, soulful conversation.”