Joe’s been performing and teaching for over 30 years. He has performed in big venues all around the country, theaters, clubs, funerals, weddings, country clubs, and jazz festivals. He's also performed for President Reagon and President G.W. Bush. He is known as the cat that can cover just about any kind of gig.  Raised on the streets of Detroit, back when radio stations played all kinds of music, Joe developed a love for Motown music, Jazz, Big Band, and of course Rock and Funk. His first instrument was the accordion at age 5. He started playing the alto sax at age 7. After seeing the Gene Krupa story, he pick up the sticks. 

Joe studied classical percussion with Norm Ficket and Sam Tundo (Detroit Symphony). Studied jazz with drumming greats, Jeff Hamilton, and Ed Soph, Rock with Mark Craney, and Kenny Aronoff, and Cuban jazz with Chanquito. He’s toured the U.S. playing in show bands at hotels, clubs, and on cruise ships.  He’s worked as the house drummer at many of Detroit’s theaters, and has become one of the first call drummers for touring acts that come through town. Although much of his early career has been working with pop and rock acts, Joe’s real love is Jazz and Latin music. He’s spends most of his recent years playing and recording in these styles. Joe just completed Part 1 of his first “Crash Course in Drumming” DVD, and is currently working on his first jazz recording as a leader.

In addition to being a very busy drum set artist, Joe spends a good part of his days teaching a variety of percussion instruments, spreading the joys of drumming and music. He also facilitates drum circles and works with young children and challenged students using drumming as the key communicator.  Not only is he a sought after performer, his knowledge of the instrument and it’s history makes him a sought after teacher as well.  If there is a question about drums or drumming, Joe’s the guy that can help. His goals are to spread the joy of drumming to all ages through his entertaining clinics, and to continue performing with Detroit's melting pot of great musicians, as well as his jazz group “the chiladogs” .

Drum Lessons in Rochester Michigan.

Drum Line Coach:

• Rochester High School 1991
• Clawson High School 1988-1989
• Almont High School 2003-2004
• Notre Dame High School 2014

Performed and/or toured with:

• Vic Damone
• June Christy
• Florence Henderson
• Iggy Pop
• Dick Shawn
• Keely Smith
• The Marvelettes
• The Diamonds
• Martha Reeves
• Pete Barbutti
• Billy Eckstien
• Rodney Dangerfield
• Peter Noone
• Lou Christie
• Four Ladds
• Gerald Veasley
• Mickey Rooney
• The Contours
• Marlena Shaw
• Donny Most (Happy Days)
• The Platters
• The Gaylords
• Bobby Goldsboro
• The Mills Brothers
• Guy Lombardo
• Rich Little

Pit Drummer/Theater Gigs:

• Selma
• Annie
• Always Patsy Kline
• Tribute to the Rat Pack
• West Side Story
• Guys and Dolls
• The Wiz
• Pirates of Pansant
• Respect
• Little Shop of Horrors
• Grease
• South Pacific
• Music Man
• Suessical
• Lion King
• Aladdin
• Beautty and the Beast
• Bye Bye Birdie

Commercial Jingles:

• Wendys
• Citizens Insurance
• Bally
• Vic Tanny
• Cunningham Drugs Stores