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Joe Barna

Joe Barna is a drummer/composer originally from Troy, NY.

Barna began his collegiate life in 1995 by attending SCCC in Schenectady, NY. While enrolled he focused his efforts on orchestral percussion performance/education. In fall of 1999 he transferred to the esteemed Purchase College Conservatory of Music in Westchester, NY. In spring of 2004 Barna received his BFA in Jazz Studies with a focus on drumset performance & composition.

Since 2004 Barna has devoted himself to a life of composing and performing. His talents have brought him around the globe sharing the stage with many of the worlds top musicians/groups including: (3 time Grammy Award winners) The Celtic Tenors (6 time Grammy Award recipient) Gary Smulyan (world renowned classical violinist) Peter Fisher (3 time Grammy Award recipient) Ralph Lalama and jazz recording artists Joe Magnarelli, Ray Vega, Grant Stewart, Dick Oatts, Jim Rotondi, Jon Gordon, Jerry Weldon, Josh Evans, & Stacy Dillard.

Joe has also performed with many of NY States regional greats such as: Keith Pray, Brian Patneaude, John Menegon, Lee Shaw, David Gleason, Mark Kleinhaut, Michael Louis Smith, George Muscatello, Lee & Leo Russo, The Joey Thomas Band, The Big Soul Ensemble and his own original group Sketches Of Influence.

Barna has performed in over 50 pit orchestras for many outstanding professional musical theaters, toured the world as a member of ship orchestras for the worlds leading cruise lines, performed as a member of Trio Calvo for 3 months while living in Dubai UAE and has headlined as a leader at a variety of performing arts centers as well as jazz festivals and small clubs. In addition to his live performance credits Barna has also recorded on over 10 albums with a variety of band leaders and his own original groups. Included in this list are Keith Pray, Lee Russo, Mike Benedict, Steve Lambert, Ralph Lalama, James Weidman, Jon Gordon, Joe Magnarelli, Victor Gould, Stacy Dillard and others.

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Album Review

Sketches of Influence: The Grind - Sketches of Influence

Read "The Grind - Sketches of Influence" reviewed by Nicholas F. Mondello


Shortly before the COVID pandemic went full force lockdown, Troy, New York drummer Joe Barna and his group, “Sketches of Influence" recorded this live album at the Middle C Jazz Club in Charlotte, North Carolina. The audience that evening was either the most polite as listeners, or, more likely they were taken up by the killer performance of this ensemble. This album verifies the latter. The performance offers six extended tracks, all Barna originals. The opener, “The ...

6
Live Review

Joe Barna & Sketches of Influence At Middle C Jazz

Read "Joe Barna & Sketches of Influence At Middle C Jazz" reviewed by Mark Sullivan


Joe Barna & Sketches of Influence Middle C Jazz Charlotte, NC March 13, 2020 Drummer/composer/bandleader Joe Barna brought his band Sketches of Influence to Middle C Jazz (a recently opened jazz club in Charlotte, NC) to record a live album on March 13-14, 2020. Barna had come down from upstate New York to check out the club when it opened, and knew he wanted to be part of the family. Like everyone else, neither he ...

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Performance / Tour

Joe Barna Announces Sketches of Influence Live Recording at Middle C Jazz

Joe Barna Announces Sketches of Influence Live Recording at Middle C Jazz

Source: Mark Sullivan

Drummer/composer/bandleader Joe Barna is bringing his band Sketches of Influence to Middle C Jazz (a recently opened jazz club in jny: Charlotte, NC) to record a live album on March 13-14, 2020. This is certainly the first live recording to be produced at the club, and may be the first time that an artist from outside the Charlotte area has chosen to make a live recording there. Asked what he would like the Charlotte audience to know about his career ...

“Joe Barna’s musical concepts and the way his ensemble realizes them make for an excellent evening. Joe’s compositions expolore a wide range of styles, and he and his group bear watching.” – Pete Malinverni, Jazz Pianist/Recording Artist/Educator NYC

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