Born: June 15, 1976 Primary Instrument: Drums
Joe holds a B.M. in Music Education in 1998. He also earned a Master of Arts program at New York University in the performance (Jazz Studies) program, in 2000.
Joe has studied with musicians of many genres, including jazz greats John Riley, Adam Nussbaum, Billy Hart, Joe Morello, Tony Moreno, Pete Magadini, Ed Shaughnessy, and percussionists James Petercsak, Michael Bookspan (Philadelphia Orchestra), Paul Hostetter (Julliard School), and Rick Barbour (Metropolitan Opera).
Joe’s performing career has certainly not been limited to jazz. He’s played pop (most notably in a regular stint as drummer for Jessica Simpson); rock and roll (in a number of New York groups including his own band, sonaBLAST! recording artists Collider); avant-garde (in Thelonious Monk tribute band Brilliant Coroners); folk; latin; bluegrass; R & B; and hip-hop. This path has led Joe to work with such legendary figures as Donny McCaslin, Mike Richmond, Jamie Baum, Travis Sullivan, Tommy and CJ Ramone, Jerry Jemmott, major-label artists like Maverick’s Deuce Project, Monatomic, and as a studio drummer on numerous other projects. One of his most recent projects has been the critically-acclaimed Bjorkestra, which performs big-band arrangements of Bjork's music.
Joe Abbatantuono also has over ten years of teaching experience, giving private lessons, as well as clinics and master classes, across much of New York State. He has served as adjunct faculty at The Crane School of Music as well as NYU, and continues to maintain a regular teaching schedule, not to mention his very busy performing career. He also holds endorsement deals with Yamaha Drums and Sabian Cymbals.
