Joe La Barbera
About the Artist
Joe La Barbera has enjoyed a long and varied career in music, a career that has taken him all over the world with some of the finest names in jazz. He is regarded by his peers as a musical drummer and a supportive accompanist. In 1978 Joe was asked to join Bill Evans in what was to become a landmark trio. Along with bassist Marc Johnson, the trio grew over a two-year period to become one of Evansí finest. After Billís untimely death in 1980, Joe joined pop singer Tony Bennett.Currently residing in Los Angeles, Joe is involved in a wide range of music locally, nationally and internationally. On the local scene he is busy with his own quintet as well as sideman duties with many well known jazz artists. Recent dates in North America include performances with Bill Mays, Eddie Daniels, Randy Brecker and brother Pat La Barbera.
During the last few years, Joe has toured Europe with Kenny Wheeler, Bassline (with Hein Van De Geyn and John Abercrombie) and the WDR Big Band. Most recently, he toured Japan with Lee Konitz, Europe with The West Coast All Stars and with Karrin Allyson, and South America with Bud Shank.
In 1999 along with Tom Warrington, Larry Koonse and Clay Jenkins, Joe created JazzCompass, an independent recording company dedicated to the kind of creative music that has always been close to his heart. Joe has two releases on JazzCompass, ìLiveî(JC1004) and ìMark Timeî(JC1437) which was selected one of the top 10 2003 releases in Dr. Herb Wongís Blue Chip Jazz CD Awards. He is also heard on other JazzCompass projects including brother John La Barberaís exciting new big band recording, ìOn The Wild Sideî(JC1007).
Since 1993, Joe has been on the faculty of California Institute For The Arts in Valencia, California. He is also a visiting artist at UNLV (Las Vegas), and a faculty member of the Bud Shank Jazz Workshop in Port Townsend, Washington. In the past he has also served on the National Endowment For The Arts council in Washington D.C. and has been a guest at many other colleges as both performer and lecturer.
