Flights of Fancy from Flights of Fancy: Trio Fascination: Edition Two (Blue Note - 2000)

In 1980, Joe joined the Mel Lewis Orchestra when Bob Brookmeyer served as Musical Director, becoming part of the group’s weekly Monday night concert at the Village Vanguard for the next eleven years.

During his tenure with Mel’s band, Joe began working gigs as a leader, with Mel as his drummer. Tones, Shapes and Colors, was his first recording as a leader, a live date done at the Jazz Coalition Center in New York.

"Mel was one of the most swinging, generous, beautiful musicians I’ve ever known. I learned so much from him, including important orchestration lessons and about putting together a flowing set of music, as well as how to communicate within an ensemble.”

In addition to his work with Woody and Mel, Joe also played in other large ensembles with Carla Bley, Bob Brookmeyer, Charlie Haden’s Liberation Music Orchestra and Gunther Schuller. These experiences served as the catlyst for creating his own musical environments utilzing larger ensembles, including his current Nonet.