Q & A With Joe

When did you first start playing music?
I started playing at age of 10 in Italy.

What types of instruments can you play?
I play reed instrument (clarinet, alto, tenor and soprano saxophone.)

What are your favorite types of music to play?
My favorite types of music are slow ballads, R&B, pop, and contemporary jazz.

Who are your biggest musical influences?
Jazz players like Groover Washington, Stan Gets, Dexter Gordon, Stanley Turrentine, etc.

What is your best memory playing?
My first rock group in the USA I was 17 years old, the group was called “The Madison 4.” We used to do a lot of dances and have a lot of fun at the same time.

What would you say is your specialty?
Smooth and contemporary jazz.

Do you like singing?
As a matter of fact I do sing.

Why did you start playing music?
Because I always loved and felt it in my soul as far back as I can remember.

How old were you when you played your first gig, and where was it?
It was in Italy with a thirty-piece musician’s band, we did marches and operas.

Did you always know you were going to be a musician?
Oh yes without a doubt.