Josh Groban Says He and David Foster Are a 'Musical Married Couple' but They 'Sometimes Take Little Breaks' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Josh Groban and David Foster.Photo:Jason Mendez/Getty, Michael Tullberg/GettyJosh Grobanhas found sweet harmony in his creative partnership withDavid Foster.The singer-songwriter, 43, spoke to PEOPLE in an exclusive interview at theNY Philharmonic Opening Galaon Tuesday, Sept. 24 about relationship with his longtime music collaborator Foster, 74, and his upcomingFind Your LightBenefit Concert.“I was 16 when I met David, and I was just so new and so young,” Groban says. “To have somebody like David as a mentor is just a 24/7 masterclass every single day. Somebody with his musicality [and] his understanding of singers and the recording process — he discovered and nurtured some of my favorite singers of all time.“David Foster and Josh Groban.Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImageOver the course of Foster’s career, he has worked with the likes of Groban,Michael Bublé,Céline Dion,Beyoncé,Barbra StreisandandWhitney Houston, among others.Groban adds, “To work with him was tough, but it was the education that brought me where I am today. Sometimes, like any musical married couple, we will take little breaks and we’ll get back together, but we always find each other and he’s always been an amazing support.“The “You Raise Me Up” singer isset to perform at Foster’s 75th birthdayon Nov. 3 at the Hollywood Bowl amongAndrea Bocelli,Jennifer Hudson,Kristin ChenowethandKatharine McPhee. “I speak for every artist that’s going to be on the field at the Hollywood Bowl: We’re all really excited to celebrate him that night,” he says.David Foster and Josh Groban in Phoenix in 2007.John Shearer/WireImageGroban was the headline vocalist at the gala, which raised over $3.8 million for the Philharmonic. During the performance, he sang “Pure Imagination” fromWilly Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, “She” from his 2020 albumHarmonyand more, including a Stephen Sondheim melody of “Children Will Listen” fromInto the Woodsand “Not While I’m Around” fromSweeney Todd.He says that the organization has given him “so many inspiring moments” over the years and called it “a great honor” to be featured at the special event.Groban has performed often with the Philharmonic since as early as 2012.“I try to learn something new every time I’m with them. To be invited to sing with them from an early age, it is an enormous thrill,” he says. “Then you start to get to know the group and the musicians and you get to know the space and you feel like you’re entering back into a place of old friends.“Looking back on the earlier days, he says, “I think those first times were the most pivotal for me because I felt so honored that they would think of me and I still do. There’s nothing they can’t play. And every time you sing with them, it elevates you as well.“Groban is continuing his philanthropic work with an upcoming benefit concert for hisFind Your Light Foundation, in support of arts education. For the first time ever, the annual charity event will be a benefit concert rather than a gala, as a way to mobilize the arts community and “make it a party,” he says.Josh Groban attends the NY Phil Opening Gala on September 24, 2024.Jason Mendez/GettyThe Find Your Light Foundation was first founded as the Josh Groban Foundation in 2005 but changed its name in 2011, according toForbes. Now, the non-profit focuses on providing “direct support to organizations that provide an arts education to kids in underserved communities” across the United States, per the foundation’swebsite.The star-studded benefit concert — featuringLin-Manuel MirandaandSara Bareilles— will take place on Oct. 29 at Jazz at Lincoln Center in honor of classical performer Renée Fleming and U.S. Surgeon GeneralVivek Murthy.“I am here because of an arts education. I’m able to do what I love to do every day because I came from a family that supported putting me in schools and putting me in programs that gave me access to the arts,” Groban says about the charitable event during our conversation.“I realized pretty quickly that that was something that a lot of kids around the country don’t have the opportunity to have. So when I was able to have a platform to do it, I said, ‘This is what I want to be my foundation, this is what I want to be my silver bullet.’ “Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Speaking about the impressive line-up, he says, “To have so many friends that share the same passion for the arts and for arts ed means a lot to us. It is a big level up. We are nervous, but we’re excited that everybody’s so enthused.“Groban teased the event, saying “there will definitely be some duets. I mean, I am kind of the emcee of the night, and I guess as the founder of the foundation, I get a lot of duet privileges up there. So I’m definitely going to be singing some duets and there’s going to be some unexpected moments from some people that you may not expect.”The singer, who actively serves on the board of directors of his organization, adds, “This is the kind of night we want to make. We want to make it a party. We want to make it super fun.“Tickets for the Find Your Light Benefit Concertcan be purchased at the Jazz at Lincoln Center website.

Josh Groban and David Foster.Photo:Jason Mendez/Getty, Michael Tullberg/Getty

Jason Mendez/Getty, Michael Tullberg/Getty

Josh Grobanhas found sweet harmony in his creative partnership withDavid Foster.The singer-songwriter, 43, spoke to PEOPLE in an exclusive interview at theNY Philharmonic Opening Galaon Tuesday, Sept. 24 about relationship with his longtime music collaborator Foster, 74, and his upcomingFind Your LightBenefit Concert.“I was 16 when I met David, and I was just so new and so young,” Groban says. “To have somebody like David as a mentor is just a 24/7 masterclass every single day. Somebody with his musicality [and] his understanding of singers and the recording process — he discovered and nurtured some of my favorite singers of all time.“David Foster and Josh Groban.Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImageOver the course of Foster’s career, he has worked with the likes of Groban,Michael Bublé,Céline Dion,Beyoncé,Barbra StreisandandWhitney Houston, among others.Groban adds, “To work with him was tough, but it was the education that brought me where I am today. Sometimes, like any musical married couple, we will take little breaks and we’ll get back together, but we always find each other and he’s always been an amazing support.“The “You Raise Me Up” singer isset to perform at Foster’s 75th birthdayon Nov. 3 at the Hollywood Bowl amongAndrea Bocelli,Jennifer Hudson,Kristin ChenowethandKatharine McPhee. “I speak for every artist that’s going to be on the field at the Hollywood Bowl: We’re all really excited to celebrate him that night,” he says.David Foster and Josh Groban in Phoenix in 2007.John Shearer/WireImageGroban was the headline vocalist at the gala, which raised over $3.8 million for the Philharmonic. During the performance, he sang “Pure Imagination” fromWilly Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, “She” from his 2020 albumHarmonyand more, including a Stephen Sondheim melody of “Children Will Listen” fromInto the Woodsand “Not While I’m Around” fromSweeney Todd.He says that the organization has given him “so many inspiring moments” over the years and called it “a great honor” to be featured at the special event.Groban has performed often with the Philharmonic since as early as 2012.“I try to learn something new every time I’m with them. To be invited to sing with them from an early age, it is an enormous thrill,” he says. “Then you start to get to know the group and the musicians and you get to know the space and you feel like you’re entering back into a place of old friends.“Looking back on the earlier days, he says, “I think those first times were the most pivotal for me because I felt so honored that they would think of me and I still do. There’s nothing they can’t play. And every time you sing with them, it elevates you as well.“Groban is continuing his philanthropic work with an upcoming benefit concert for hisFind Your Light Foundation, in support of arts education. For the first time ever, the annual charity event will be a benefit concert rather than a gala, as a way to mobilize the arts community and “make it a party,” he says.Josh Groban attends the NY Phil Opening Gala on September 24, 2024.Jason Mendez/GettyThe Find Your Light Foundation was first founded as the Josh Groban Foundation in 2005 but changed its name in 2011, according toForbes. Now, the non-profit focuses on providing “direct support to organizations that provide an arts education to kids in underserved communities” across the United States, per the foundation’swebsite.The star-studded benefit concert — featuringLin-Manuel MirandaandSara Bareilles— will take place on Oct. 29 at Jazz at Lincoln Center in honor of classical performer Renée Fleming and U.S. Surgeon GeneralVivek Murthy.“I am here because of an arts education. I’m able to do what I love to do every day because I came from a family that supported putting me in schools and putting me in programs that gave me access to the arts,” Groban says about the charitable event during our conversation.“I realized pretty quickly that that was something that a lot of kids around the country don’t have the opportunity to have. So when I was able to have a platform to do it, I said, ‘This is what I want to be my foundation, this is what I want to be my silver bullet.’ “Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Speaking about the impressive line-up, he says, “To have so many friends that share the same passion for the arts and for arts ed means a lot to us. It is a big level up. We are nervous, but we’re excited that everybody’s so enthused.“Groban teased the event, saying “there will definitely be some duets. I mean, I am kind of the emcee of the night, and I guess as the founder of the foundation, I get a lot of duet privileges up there. So I’m definitely going to be singing some duets and there’s going to be some unexpected moments from some people that you may not expect.”The singer, who actively serves on the board of directors of his organization, adds, “This is the kind of night we want to make. We want to make it a party. We want to make it super fun.“Tickets for the Find Your Light Benefit Concertcan be purchased at the Jazz at Lincoln Center website.

Josh Grobanhas found sweet harmony in his creative partnership withDavid Foster.

The singer-songwriter, 43, spoke to PEOPLE in an exclusive interview at theNY Philharmonic Opening Galaon Tuesday, Sept. 24 about relationship with his longtime music collaborator Foster, 74, and his upcomingFind Your LightBenefit Concert.

“I was 16 when I met David, and I was just so new and so young,” Groban says. “To have somebody like David as a mentor is just a 24/7 masterclass every single day. Somebody with his musicality [and] his understanding of singers and the recording process — he discovered and nurtured some of my favorite singers of all time.”

David Foster and Josh Groban.Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage

Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage

Over the course of Foster’s career, he has worked with the likes of Groban,Michael Bublé,Céline Dion,Beyoncé,Barbra StreisandandWhitney Houston, among others.

Groban adds, “To work with him was tough, but it was the education that brought me where I am today. Sometimes, like any musical married couple, we will take little breaks and we’ll get back together, but we always find each other and he’s always been an amazing support.”

The “You Raise Me Up” singer isset to perform at Foster’s 75th birthdayon Nov. 3 at the Hollywood Bowl amongAndrea Bocelli,Jennifer Hudson,Kristin ChenowethandKatharine McPhee. “I speak for every artist that’s going to be on the field at the Hollywood Bowl: We’re all really excited to celebrate him that night,” he says.

David Foster and Josh Groban in Phoenix in 2007.John Shearer/WireImage

John Shearer/WireImage

Groban was the headline vocalist at the gala, which raised over $3.8 million for the Philharmonic. During the performance, he sang “Pure Imagination” fromWilly Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, “She” from his 2020 albumHarmonyand more, including a Stephen Sondheim melody of “Children Will Listen” fromInto the Woodsand “Not While I’m Around” fromSweeney Todd.

He says that the organization has given him “so many inspiring moments” over the years and called it “a great honor” to be featured at the special event.

Groban has performed often with the Philharmonic since as early as 2012.

“I try to learn something new every time I’m with them. To be invited to sing with them from an early age, it is an enormous thrill,” he says. “Then you start to get to know the group and the musicians and you get to know the space and you feel like you’re entering back into a place of old friends.”

Looking back on the earlier days, he says, “I think those first times were the most pivotal for me because I felt so honored that they would think of me and I still do. There’s nothing they can’t play. And every time you sing with them, it elevates you as well.”

Groban is continuing his philanthropic work with an upcoming benefit concert for hisFind Your Light Foundation, in support of arts education. For the first time ever, the annual charity event will be a benefit concert rather than a gala, as a way to mobilize the arts community and “make it a party,” he says.

Josh Groban attends the NY Phil Opening Gala on September 24, 2024.Jason Mendez/Getty

Jason Mendez/Getty

The Find Your Light Foundation was first founded as the Josh Groban Foundation in 2005 but changed its name in 2011, according toForbes. Now, the non-profit focuses on providing “direct support to organizations that provide an arts education to kids in underserved communities” across the United States, per the foundation’swebsite.

The star-studded benefit concert — featuringLin-Manuel MirandaandSara Bareilles— will take place on Oct. 29 at Jazz at Lincoln Center in honor of classical performer Renée Fleming and U.S. Surgeon GeneralVivek Murthy.

“I am here because of an arts education. I’m able to do what I love to do every day because I came from a family that supported putting me in schools and putting me in programs that gave me access to the arts,” Groban says about the charitable event during our conversation.

“I realized pretty quickly that that was something that a lot of kids around the country don’t have the opportunity to have. So when I was able to have a platform to do it, I said, ‘This is what I want to be my foundation, this is what I want to be my silver bullet.’ "

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Speaking about the impressive line-up, he says, “To have so many friends that share the same passion for the arts and for arts ed means a lot to us. It is a big level up. We are nervous, but we’re excited that everybody’s so enthused.”

Groban teased the event, saying “there will definitely be some duets. I mean, I am kind of the emcee of the night, and I guess as the founder of the foundation, I get a lot of duet privileges up there. So I’m definitely going to be singing some duets and there’s going to be some unexpected moments from some people that you may not expect.”

The singer, who actively serves on the board of directors of his organization, adds, “This is the kind of night we want to make. We want to make it a party. We want to make it super fun.”

Tickets for the Find Your Light Benefit Concertcan be purchased at the Jazz at Lincoln Center website.

source: people.com