Joe Viola dead at 80

Joseph E. Viola of Stoneham, a master woodwind player, and teacher of many of the most significant saxophonists in jazz, died Wednesday at the Arnold House in Stoneham. The Founding Chair of the Berklee College of Music Woodwind Department was 80.

Mr. Viola was born and grew up in Malden, where he began his musical career with lessons from his brother Tony, one of two older brothers who were active musicians in the Boston area. At 13, Mr. Viola had been playing saxophone for about a year when his brother first brought him along to play on a job.

Music quickly became his occupation. At age 18, fresh out of high school, Mr. Viola was earning his living playing alto sax. A band he was traveling with soon broke up