Joe grew up in New Jersey in the 60s and 70s, and even though it may have earned him an AARP card, it means he got to see guitar legends like Santana, Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin and Jeff Beck play live. Joe's playing and writing was also influenced by acoustic greats like Cat Stevens, Joni Mitchell, James Taylor and Neil Young.

In the late 70's, he heard Wes Montgomery's album Bumpin' and was hooked. At 19, he started studying with jazz-legend Pat Martino in nearby Philadelphia until he couldn't resist the pull of the music scene in New York City.

New York provided hundreds of opportunities to play with a wide range of artists and study with interesting teachers. In the early 80's Joe played in the power samba group "Pe De Boi" put together by Brazilian percussionist Guilherme Franco. Since Franco was also in Keith Jarrett's American Band, many top players like Dave Liebman and Curtis Fuller sat in with the band frequently. They played NYC underground spots like SOB's and the Jazz Forum.

Joe also played in jazz duos and trios, with guitarists Leni Stern and Wayne Krantz in Village restaurants and clubs, and with bassist Jeff Andrews on the Upper West Side. He's also played with jazz bassoonist Michael Rabinowitz of the Charlie Mingus tribute band, the Mingus Dynasty. A highlight was playing Carnegie Hall in 1997 with Sting, and Kenny Kirkland on piano for an Elton John AIDS benefit.

After a good 20 years of city, Joe packed up his guitars and his two dogs and moved north to Woodstock NY for a little green. He formed a jazz trio, Less Deluxe, (including Steve Winwood drummer Eric Parker) and kept playing gigs in New York City. Joe met his lovely wife Jennifer when she took his NYC yoga class - they moved to Atlanta, where he has played in Kola Ogunkoya's Afro-beat Ensemble and is co-leader of a kirtan band, Dhvani. Joe and Jennifer live in Decatur, GA with their pets and their shining star, their baby son Jamie.

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