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Joseph Daley
Joseph Daley is a highly acclaimed instrumentalist, composer/arranger, and educator specializing in new contemporary music, jazz and improvisation.
About Me
Joseph Daley is a highly acclaimed instrumentalist, composer/arranger, and educator specializing in new
contemporary music, jazz and improvisation. He has earned a master’s degree in music education at the Manhattan
School of Music, and retired as a music educator after over 30 years of distinguished service.
Mr. Daley has received fellowships in music composition from the National Endowment of the Arts, the MacDowell
Colony, Music Omi and the Geraldine R Dodge Foundation: and has been commissioned for acclaimed works by the
Tri-Centric Foundation and Dance Clarinet Ensemble (through Brooklyn Council on the Arts.)
Joseph has performed, recorded and toured internationally with Muhal Richard Abrams, Sam Rivers, Gil Evans,
Carla Bley, Howard Johnson’s Gravity, Liberation Music Orchestra, Far East Side band, Burning Bridge ensemble
and Hazmat Modine. His enormous versatility and range have made him a much in-demand collaborator for a
genre-bending array of superb artists, including Taj Mahal, Jayne Cortez, Dave Douglas, Bill Dixon, Cecil Taylor,
Anthony Braxton, Craig Harris, Bill Cole, George Gruntz, Reggie Nicholson, Warren Smith, Natalie Merchant, Taylor
Ho Bynum, The Kronos String Quartet, Hunn Hur Tu, The Alash Ensemble, and The Gangbe Brass Band of Benin.
A brilliant leader of his own ensembles, whether performing with his orchestral ensembles; his evocative Ebony
Brass Quintet, his stunning World-music influenced Rituals Ensemble, the Tuba Trio or in sparer solo, or duo
contexts; sheer musicality, deeply-hewn emotion and jubilant innovation are always at the core of Joseph’s most
singular musical expression. Best known for playing the tuba, Joseph also plays euphonium, trombone and piano;
but for over a decade his growing reputation as a visionary composer has brought him worldwide acclaim.
In 2011, Joseph formed the JoDaMusic label, primarily to release his orchestral music. Its initial release, The Seven
Deadly Sins, featured his Earth Tones Ensemble - a full Jazz orchestra. This powerfully innovative music mines the
same rich vein of musical expression as that of immortals like Charles Mingus, Duke Ellington and George Russell,
receiving rave reviews and making several Best of Year lists. Following up were two string orchestra projects: The
Seven Heavenly Virtues (partially funded through New Music USA), and Portraits: Wind, Thunder and Love which
includes the five-movement suite Wispercussion: Five Portraits of Warren Smith – both featuring string orchestras.
The Tuba Trio Chronicles (a tribute to Sam Rivers) and The Trayvon Martin Suite (a live concert recording with Bill
Cole) are also available on the label.
Currently, Joseph is working on several projects for an extensive series of events in celebration of his 75th
birthday in 2024.
For more information, visit https://www.jodamusic.com/
My Jazz Story
When I had the honor of meeting and working with Howard Johnson, Bill Cole, Sam Rivers, Charlie Haden and Gil Evans it totally changed my life in such a positive way. They mentored me and inspiring me to be the beat that I can be........................
My House Concert Story
I am always enlightened when I attend The Parlor Jazz House Concert Series curated by maestro Craig Harris in Harlem NY. There always a wonderful variety of musical styles that truly enrich the soul.