Early influences included the British Invasion, then on to Jimi Hendrix and The Cream. A stint discovering the blues came next, listening to all the greats from Robert Johnson to Howlin’ Wolf and Elmore James. Soon after playing in local “garage” bands, he became interested in jazz focusing on Miles Davis, John Coltrane and all the great jazz Guitarists.

With those varied influences, at age 18, he moved to Manhattan and started working in the New York recording studios and touring with jazz and Rock/Pop artists in the US, Japan and Europe. He has recorded with many diverse artists such as Bette Midler, Blue Öyster Cult, Carly Simon, Dr. John, Michael Franks, Bobby McFerrin, Gato Barbieri, Michael McDonald, Fania Allstars, Chaka Khan, Irene Cara, Candido, Randy Brecker, Elements, and many, more.

He has also toured extensively with the likes of Dr. John, Herbie Mann, Carly Simon /James Taylor, Gato Barbieri, Michael Franks, Akiko Yano, played live and or TV for Jon Bongovi, Clint Black, Ashford and Simpson, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Roberta Flack,The Eagles, Brookes and Dunn, Sheryl Crow, Olivia Newton-John, James Taylor, Lenny Kravitz, Aretha Franklin, Willie Dixon, KD Lang, Stanley Clarke, Johnny Mathis, Luther Vandross.

Joe has also appeared with various artists and in the house bands on TV shows such as “The Late Show with David Letterman”, Saturday Night Live and The Grammy Awards and done countless recording sessions for TV Commercials and Movies.

In the 90’s he formed BFD with Drummer Steve Ferrone and Bassist Will Lee doing the NYC Club circuit with live shows that featured guest artists including Donald Fagen, Michael McDonald, Pat Metheny, The Brecker Brothers, and Felix Cavaieri of the Young Rascals. That association produced the CD “BFD” (released on Iguana records in the US and Pony Canyon in Japan) which featured many guests artists and 10 of his original compositions along with production credit.

Next came a stint in the New York underground scene fronting an allstar band which included Trumpeter Chris Botti, Saxman Lenny Pickett, and Late show Drummer Anton Fig performing every Tuesday night at the NYC club, The Metropolitan Café. What started out as a 2 week gig, went on for 8 years and became the home base for many New York City session musicians at a time when New York music clubs were far and few.A brief Hendrix collaboration with Acid Reign featuring the dynamic vocals of Sophia Ramos came in between.

He has since moved to Maui, Hawaii and has just completed his first solo CD entitled “Home Alone”. Recorded almost entirely at his home studio, it also features contributions from keyboardist Ricky Peterson, drummers Steve Ferrone, Anton Fig, and Shawn Pelton and bassist Will Lee. Comprised of all original material, it is his first instrumental release to date.