New Orleans native Joe Dyson has certainly been one to watch. He started playing music in his family's church at just two years old. After being noticed for his peculiar talent, Joe was placed in the Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong Summer Jazz Camp where he was shadowed by the late, great clarinetist Alvin Batiste, and his longtime bandleader and mentor, alto saxophonist Donald Harrison. He went on to graduate from the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA), and earned a Presidential Scholarship to his alma mater Berklee College of Music.
Joe has shared the stage with Dr. Lonnie Smith, Ellis Marsalis, Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah, Jon Batiste, Leo Nocentelli, Sullivan Fortner, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Pedrito Martinez, Grammy Award winners Nicholas Payton and Pat Metheny among others.

As a musician, Joe has traveled across the globe extensively. Having touched almost every continent, he has performed throughout North America, South America, Europe, Australia, Asia, and Africa. He has appeared on over 30 albums, including releases by Dr. Lonnie Smith ALL IN MY MIND, (Blue Note Universal Records), Sullivan Fortner's ARIA (Impulse Universal Records) and Christian aTunde Adjuah's Grammy Nominated EMANCIPATION PROCRASTINATION (Ropeadope Records).

In addition to touring and recording, Joe has made appearances on the HBO hit series TREME, and can be seen performing in the documentary titled Been In The Storm Too Long, hosted by Tavis Smiley. He can also be heard on the movie soundtrack Rachel Getting Married, by the late, Oscar-winning director Jonathan Demme.

In 2012, Joe created an annual benefit concert entitled, “Christmas in Treme.” It takes place at his family’s church, Holy Faith Temple B.C. also known as “The Treme Church.” The proceeds help fund outreach programs, including Food and Pantry, Computer Literacy and Vacation Bible School.

In addition to recording and touring, Joe has taught combos, master classes, and given lectures throughout the U.S. and Europe. More notable places include The New School of Jazz and Contemporary Music; NOCCA Riverfront; and Södra Latin (Sweden). He is also apart of the collegiate roster at Tulane University as Adjunct Professor.

R.I.P.

R.I.P. to Elayne Jones. She passed away at age 94. Elayne was a musician percussionist, activist, and all-around trailblazer - all of us in the percussion community owe her a thank you. Enjoy this video from her PAS Hall of Fame induction.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to Keita Ogawa! Keita has worked with some of the biggest names in modern music including Yo-yo-ma, Assad Brothers, Charlie Hunter, Maria Schneider Jazz Orchestra, Le Nubians, Romero Lubambo, Clarice Assad, Jaques Morelenbaum, Osvaldo Golijov, Eric Harland, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra and more. He also played and composed music called “Starting Five” with “J-Squad” (New York based 5 Japanese Jazz Musicians) for one of big National Japanese News TV Program called “Hōdō Station” since April 2016. Currently he works several projects like, Snarky puppy, J-Squad, Banda Magda, Bokantè, Camila Meza and the Nectar Orchestra, Clarice Assad and more.

Gig Alerts

The Jazz Foundation of America has a live stream concert you can watch on Wednesday December 28th.

You can submit to perform/present at PASIC until Jan 23rd.

Educational Spotlight

You can go to Cuba with Blue Note Travel and Jorge Luis Pacheco from Jan 25th-30th 2023.

You can also go to Cuba later in the winter with Kosa Cuba. They are offering two options February 27 - March 6, 2023 as well as, April 28th-May 5th, 2023.

Ari Herstand has a new edition of his book, “How to Make it in the New Music Business” along with some bonuses.

Iconic Recording

Joe picked more than one iconic recording. He mentions a Clifford Brown and Max Roach recording first. That could have been from the self titled album.

He then mentions the Max Roach album, ‘M’Boom’. Damon chose the song, “Caravanserai”. Below is a live recording from that album.

After that, Joe recommends the Oscar Peterson Trio (featuring Ray Brown-bass, and Ed Thigpen-drums) playing “Tricotism”, from the album, ‘The Sound of the Trio’.

Lastly, he recommends the 1964, Live Miles Davis Quintet performance of “So What” from the ‘Four and More’ album, featuring: Miles Davis-trumpet, Wayne Shorter-Tenor Sax, Herbie Hancock-piano, Ron Carter-bass and Tony Williams-drums.

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Joe Dyson Article

The song leading into the interview is called, “Fleeting Faith” from his ‘Look Within’ album.

Damon and Joe met at the Sonido Solar concert at the Blue Note.

Joe starts by talking about Big Chief Donald Harrison and his nephew, Chief aTunde Adjuah (formerly Christian Scott) and a ton of people mentored by Donald.

Joe talks about the (Black) Mardi Gras Indians.

Damon talks a bit about the history of Congo Square.

Joe elaborates on the importance of Congo Square and some of the history of the music. He links It to dancing as well.

Shout-out to Weedie Braimah!

Joe talks about his family and their involvement in the church.

Joe talks about Super Sunday in New Orleans.

Damon gives a little history on the dirge and the second line.

You can hear a dirge here. And you can hear a second line here.

Damon and Joe talk about the difference in the history that they learned.

Joe talks about his time with Alvin Batiste.

Joe attended NOCCA (New Orleans Center for Creative Arts). He mentions also studying with Jonathan Bloom.

Joe talks about “The Jazz Poem” by Mr. Bat (Alvin Batiste).

Joe talks about some of the musical scenes in the New Orleans area. He also talks about how he got connected to Ellis Marsalis.

Shout-out to Snug Harbor.

Joe talks about how hurricane Katrina effected the music scene.

Joe talks about some differences in being a band leader vs. a side person. He talks about how being a side person is educational in being a better band leader.

Joe goes through some of the legendary artists he has worked with and what he notices and has gotten from working with them.

Damon mentions the album, “Look Within” by Joe. Then Joe continues with The Bridge Project “Black Box” album and the forthcoming sophomore release.

Joe and Damon talk about solo drum albums.

Joe talks about the family and community aspect of musicians in New Orleans.

Joe picks out the iconic recordings for the week.

He talks about his experiences with each of the albums he selected.

Joe talks about his struggle with Jazz compared to other styles of music.

Shout-out to Adonis Rose.

Happy Birthday to Tony Williams!

Joe uses Canopus Drums, Vic Firth Sticks and Mallets, Zildjian Cymbals, and Evans Drumheads.

Shout-out to: Joe’s many teachers from all parts of his learning and studies.

Damon mentions Terrance Osborne, the New Orleans artist. He also shouts out Eric Bolivar.