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Joe Farnsworth

Joe Farnsworth is already regarded as one of the top jazz drummers in the world, but as far as he is concerned, he is just getting started. He is dedicated to the great tradition of jazz drumming as conceived by men like Max Roach, Roy Haynes, Elvin Jones, Billy Higgins and Arthur Taylor and it keeps him in the practice room trying to continue and extend it.

Joe was born on February 21, 1968 in South Hadley, Massachusetts into an unusually musical family. His father was a renowned music teacher who immersed his five sons, and it became clear early on that, Joe as the youngest would choose a career in music and would ultimately be a great success. His eldest brother, John, a renowned trombone and saxophone player, exposed him at the age of 12, to the music of Count Basie, John Coltrain, Charlie Parker and the drumming of Tony Williams which led Joe to seek lessons with Alan Dawson out of Boston.

Ultimately enrolling in William Patterson College in New Jersey, he met and befriended Harold Mabern who introduced him to tenor saxophonist George Coleman. Both Harold and George became major influences on Farnsworth's playing. During this time, Joe also sought out and studied with Art Taylor and became friends with saxophonist Eric Alexander.

After moving to New York City with brother James, a saxophonist for Ray Charles (1992-1999) when he unexpectedly passed away, Joe became the leader on Friday and Saturday nights as the infamous jazz club Augie's (now Smoke) where he would meet and play with Junior Cook, Cecil Payne, John Ore, Big John Patton, Harold Mabern, Eddie Henderson and John Jenkins. Joe's undeniable talent and hard work ethic started to pay off. He began working with Jon Hendriks in 1992 and then with Diana Krall off and on until he became a full member for a year and half from 1999-2000.

Joe Farnsworth is now known as one of the most recorded drummers on the scene, with over 70 cd's behind him, for musicians such as Wynton Marsalis, Cedar Walton, Pharoah Sanders, Eric Alexander and Benny Golson. His first recording as a leader, "Beautiful Friendship" (Crisscross Records) featured pianist Cedar Walton and trumpeteer Eddie Henderson while his second, "It's Prime Time" (88 Records) included special guest artists Ron Carter, Curtis Fuller, Benny Golson and Harold Mabern, Jr.

At 38, Joe has already performed on most of the greatest American and international stages. He appears regularly at New York City clubs like The Village Vanguard (Wynton Marsalis, Cedar Walton), Blue Note (Johnny Griffin, Horace Silver), Birdland (Lou Donaldson), Iridium (George Coleman, Pharoah Sanders) and Jazz at Lincoln Center (Wynton Marsalis). In any given year he is likely to be found backing major artists at the leading jazz clubs and festivals all over the world.

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Album Review

Mike LeDonne: Wonderful!

Read "Wonderful!" reviewed by Pierre Giroux


In jazz's rich tapestry, where tradition meets innovations, there emerged a convergence exemplified by the present release Wonderful! with the virtuosic Mike LeDonne's Groover Quartet + Gospel Choir, who embark on a transcendent journey into the heart of gospel- infused jazz. The project is informed by LeDonne's desire to offer a heartfelt tribute to his wife Margaret and daughter Mary to showcase the spirited and varied nature of the disability community. Participating in this harmonious affair are the long-time members ...

Album Review

Judy Niemack: What's Love?

Read "What's Love?" reviewed by Angelo Leonardi


Potrebbe non essere gentile iniziare questa recensione ricordando l'età della signora Niemack ma per un'artista ancora così attrattiva ed efficace, l'imminenza dei settant'anni non rappresenta un problema. La cantante californiana mantiene la sua cifra espressiva, aggiungendo nuove ombreggiature vocali e un incedere più intimo e colloquiale, come evidenzia in questo disco. Come altri recenti progetti il lavoro ha subito un arresto per le restrizioni sociali della pandemia che ha fatto saltare la presentazione al Village Vanguard tre ...

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Liner Notes

Reeds and Deeds: Cookin'

Read "Reeds and Deeds: Cookin'" reviewed by C. Andrew Hovan


Chances are that if you're reading these notes right now you're more than a bit familiar with the talents of tenor saxophonists Eric Alexander and Grant Stewart and might even have picked up Wailin' (Criss 1258), their first effort together leading a quintet billed as Reeds and Deeds. As such, it would probably be redundant to go into detailed biographical sketches of each of these men. Suffice it to say that Alexander just might be one of the most recorded ...

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Liner Notes

One For All: Blueslike

Read "One For All: Blueslike" reviewed by C. Andrew Hovan


As the timeworn adage goes, sometimes the best things come from situations where one is asked to function in less than ideal circumstances. When you have little time to analyze things and go with pure instincts, there's an air of veracity and spontaneity to the results that is seldom arrived at by any other means. Although the hard bop collective One For Allhas forged a shared identity through regular gigs and a growing catalog of recordings for several labels, including ...

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Liner Notes

One For All: Live at Smoke Vol.1

Read "One For All: Live at Smoke Vol.1" reviewed by C. Andrew Hovan


Aside from the musical fireworks that make the enclosed sides noteworthy, there are additional factors that mark Live at Smoke as a major event. For one thing, this “on location" recording is one of the rare live dates to grace the Criss Cross catalog. Furthermore, it serves as a perfect summation up to this point of One For All's musical fortunes as heard in the same venue that fostered the ensemble's very formation. Back in the mid-'80s, drummer Joe Farnsworth, ...

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Album Review

Jim Snidero: For All We Know

Read "For All We Know" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan


The cover photo on Jim Snidero's For All We Know features the saxophonist holding his horn out in front of his body as if he is offering it to us as a holy relic. Holy it is when he plays it; a relic it is not. The album is Snidero's first recorded offering in a trio setting--sax, bass and drums. No chording instrument. His partners in chordlessness, Peter Washington and Joe Farnsworth--bass and drums, respectively--are a perfect choice, ...

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Radio & Podcasts

Joe Farnsworth: Straight From The Soul

Read "Joe Farnsworth: Straight From The Soul" reviewed by Steven Roby


One of the most highly regarded jazz drummers today, Joe Farnsworth, is known for his blazing speed, precision, and musical and melodic playing. Born in South Hadley, Massachusetts, in 1968, Joe grew up in a musical family; his father was a music educator, and he has four older brothers, two of whom became professional musicians. Joe's career includes recording over 100 albums as a leader and sideman, performing at jazz festivals, and touring the globe with ...

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Event

New Year's Eve With Joe Farnsworth at The Kitano

New Year's Eve With Joe Farnsworth at The Kitano

Source: All About Jazz


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Event

Drummer Joe Farnsworth To Perform at The Kitano New York Hotel

Drummer Joe Farnsworth To Perform at The Kitano New York Hotel

Source: All About Jazz

(NEW YORK, NY) The 149-room Kitano New York Hotel has teamed up with 441 Records, a new and innovative record label with a reputation of supporting and promoting top quality jazz, blues and electronic music, to present two all-star jazz performances on October 1st and 2nd by the Joe Farnsworth All-Stars with special guest Curtis Fuller, as announced by Hans Basse, General Manager.

The performances, which officially kick-off the hotel's fall season weekly live jazz performances, coincide with the release ...

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

For All We Know

Savant Records
2024

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Wonderful!

Cellar Music Group
2024

buy

Far Far Away

Savant Records
2023

buy

Live at Smalls Jazz...

Cellar Records
2023

buy

Viewpoint

Alys Jazz
2023

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Live At Smalls Jazz...

Cellar Music group
2023

buy

Born To Be Blue

From: What's Love?
By Joe Farnsworth

Terra Nova

From: In What Direction Are You...
By Joe Farnsworth

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