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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.