Joey Baron
Joey Baron, born in Richmond, Virginia, started playing at age 9. Encouragement from his elementary school music teacher led to private studies with local musicians. Joey’s first musical experiences were playing along with his stereo record player in the park. By the time he was twelve, Baron was also working with local bands on weekends.
After a very brief period at berklee school of music in Boston he moved to Los Angeles, California to work with his idol Carmen McRae. During this period, Joey also worked regularly with Chet Baker, Blue Mitchell, Leroy Vinnegar, Andy Simpkins, Eugene Wright, Hampton Hawes, Lenny Breau, Lou Rawls, and Al Jarreau.
Relocating to nyc in 1983, he quickly established himself as a vital contributor to New York’s creative music scene. Barons talents during this period were welcomed by such diverse musicians / artists as: John Zorn’s Naked City, Toots Thielemans, Red Rodney- Ira Sullivan, David Bowie, Jay McShann, Big Joe Turner, Al Hirt, Laurie Anderson, Pat Martino, Dr John, Allen Ginsburg and Lou Reed.
Over the years, he has developed a unique approach to making music with the drum set, evident in his extended tenures with jazz icons Jim Hall, Steve Kuhn, and John Abercrombie. His long-term collaboration with Bill Frisell was recently documented and released on relative pitch records (“JUST LISTEN”).
Presently, Mr. Baron is actively touring with the Jakob Bro trio (Thomas Morgan-bass) and the duo project with percussionist Robyn Schulkowsky. Their latest work is documented on Intakt records “Now You Hear Me”.
Ongoing projects include solo concerts, workshops, Sound Prints with Joe Lovano and Dave Douglas, as well as various festival concerts with John Zorn.
