About

Based in Cardiff, Joe is at the figurehead of the jazz talent emerging from Wales. A saxophonist by trade, leading numerous groups, he is also a keen educator and a promoter of Cardiff’s jazz and creative music scene. Having performed in numerous venues and festivals in the UK and abroad, Joe has gathered a great deal of experience to establish an ever growing career.

Joe’s main output for creativity over the last few years has been two jazz trios, Tuk Tuk and Banshee and a quartet tribute to John Coltrane.

Joe was fortunate enough attend the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and be taught by some of the UK’s leading jazz musicians, including Iain Ballamy, Geoff Simkins, Keith Tippett, Huw Warren, Martin France, Steve Waterman and Martin Speake.

In 2011, Joe was privileged enough to receive some tuition from Mark Turner, George Garzone, Rick Margitza, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Jeff Ballard and Larry Grenadier at Tuscia Jazz Festival. In 2015 he participated in the Siena Jazz Summer School, receiving tuition from Walter Smith III, Ben Wendel, Dave Binney, Mark Guiliana, Avishai Cohen and Drew Gress, culminating in the award of a scholarship to return the following year.

Since beginning the saxophone at the age of 12 years, Joe has had the opportunity to play as part of many great bands, big and small.  He has constantly been developing his individual style in small ensembles, as a leader or sideman, across the the UK and Internationally, since the age of 16. Highlights include playing at Brecon International Jazz Festival (Wales), Tegnimouth Jazz Festival, and a Welsh Government funded tour to China.

As well as small groups, playing amongst larger ensembles has always been an essential part to Joe’s development as a musician, including playing for BBC NOW Big Band in 2012. As a member Veritas Orchestra Joe had the opportunity to perform Julian Joseph’s The Great Sage and in 2006 when working with the National Saxophone Choir of Great Britain Joe took part in a 5* show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Joe is also a keen educator, teaching privately and is currently holding the Jazz Saxophone Tutor post at the Junior Conservatoire of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

Gear

Tenor Sax | Selmer Mark VI, Berg Larson mouthpiece (115,2,SMS).

Alto Sax | Yanagisawa 902, D’addario mouthpiece (D6M)

Reeds | D’addario Jazz Select - 3 soft