Joey Calderazzo

Joseph Dominick Calderazzo (born February 27, 1965) is a jazz pianist and brother of musician Gene Calderazzo. He played extensively in bands led by Michael Brecker and Branford Marsalis, and has also led his own bands.

Joey Calderazzo
Birth nameJoseph Dominick Calderazzo
Born (1965-02-27) February 27, 1965
New Rochelle, New York, U.S.
GenresJazz
Occupation(s)Musician
InstrumentsPiano
Years active1979–present
LabelsBlue Note, Marsalis Music, Sunnyside
Associated actsMichael Brecker, Branford Marsalis
Websitejoeycalderazzo.net

Early life

Calderazzo was born in New Rochelle, New York. He began studying classical piano at age eight. His brother, Gene, got him interested in jazz. He studied with Richard Beirach and in the 1980s continued his studies at Berklee College of Music and the Manhattan School of Music. At the same time, he was playing professionally with David Liebman and Frank Foster.[1]

Later life and career

At a music clinic he met saxophonist Michael Brecker and became part of his quintet beginning in 1987.[2] In 1990, he signed with Blue Note Records.[1] Brecker produced Calderazzo's first album, In the Door, which featured Jerry Bergonzi and Branford Marsalis, his brother's roommate in Boston. They played on his second album, To Know One, which included Dave Holland and Jack DeJohnette.[3]

Calderazzo appeared on Brecker's albums Tales from the Hudson and Two Blocks from the Edge as pianist and composer. He played keyboard in Marsalis's Buckshot LeFonque and contributed to his album Music Evolution. When pianist Kenny Kirkland died in 1998, Calderazzo assumed his place in the Branford Marsalis Quartet.[2] In 1999 he recorded Joey Calderazzo with John Patitucci and Jeff 'Tain' Watts.[4] He played on Marsalis's albums Contemporary Jazz, Footsteps of Our Fathers, Romare Bearden Revealed, Eternal and on the DVD Coltrane's 'A Love Supreme' Live in Amsterdam. Calderazzo's composition "Hope" appears on Braggtown.

He was one of the first musicians to sign with Marsalis Music, owned by Branford Marsalis. Haiku, his first solo album, appeared in 2002. His album Amanacer featured singer Claudia Acuña and guitarist Romero Lubambo. In 2011, he and Marsalis formed a duo and recorded Songs of Mirth and Melancholy.

Calderazzo developed cubital tunnel syndrome in 2017, resulting in numbness in two fingers of his right hand.[5] Following surgery and rest, he was able to return to playing as before.[5]

Discography

As leader/co-leader
Year recorded Title Label Notes
1990 In the Door Blue Note With Branford Marsalis (soprano sax, tenor sax), Jerry Bergonzi and Michael Brecker (tenor sax), Jay Anderson (bass), Peter Erskine and Adam Nussbaum (drums), Don Alias (percussion)[6]
1991 To Know One Blue Note With Branford Marsalis (soprano sax, tenor sax), Jerry Bergonzi (tenor sax), Dave Holland (bass), Jack DeJohnette (drums)[6]
1993? The Traveler Blue Note Trio, with John Patitucci and Jay Anderson (bass; separately); Peter Erskine and Jeff Hirshfield (drums; separately)
1995? Secrets AudioQuest With various, from trio to octet
1996? Our Standards Gowi
1997? Simply Music Lost Chart Trio, with Sylvain Gagnon (bass), Jeff "Tain" Watts (drums)
1999 Joey Calderazzo Columbia/Sony Music Trio, with John Patitucci (bass), Jeff "Tain" Watts (drums)
2002 Haiku Marsalis Music Solo piano
2006 Amanecer Marsalis Music Most tracks solo piano; one track duo with Romero Lubambo (guitar); one track duo with Claudia Acuña (vocals); two tracks trio, with Lubambo and Acuña
2011? Songs of Mirth & Melancholy EmArcy/Marsalis Music Duo, co-led with Branford Marsalis (saxes)
2011 Live Sunnyside Trio, with Orlando le Fleming (bass), Donald Edwards (drums); in concert
2015? Going Home Sunnyside One track piano solo; most tracks trio, with Orlando le Fleming (bass), Adam Cruz (drums); one track quartet, with Branford Marsalis (tenor sax) added
2017 Live from The Cotton Club, Tokyo, Volume I Dot Time Trio, with Orlando le Fleming (bass), Donald Edwards (drums); in concert

Main source:[7]

As sideman
Year recorded Leader Title Label
1990? Michael Brecker Now You See It… (Now You Don't) GRP
1996 Jerry Bergonzi Fast Company Blue Jackel
1996 Michael Brecker Tales from the Hudson Impulse!
1998 Michael Brecker Two Blocks from the Edge Impulse!
1999 Branford Marsalis Contemporary Jazz Sony Music
2001 Branford Marsalis Footsteps of Our Fathers Marsalis Music
2001–2002 Jeff "Tain" Watts Bar Talk Columbia
2003 Branford Marsalis Romare Bearden Revealed Marsalis Music
2003? Branford Marsalis A Love Supreme: Live in Amsterdam Marsalis Music
2003 Branford Marsalis Eternal Marsalis Music
2010? Håkan Broström Refraction Art of Life
2011 Branford Marsalis Four MFs Playin' Tunes Marsalis Music
2016? Branford Marsalis Upward Spiral OKeh
2018? Kurt Elling The Questions OKeh
2018? Branford Marsalis The Secret Between the Shadow and the Soul OKeh

References
  1. Gilbert, Mark (2002). Kernfeld, Barry (ed.). The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz. 1 (2nd ed.). New York: Grove's Dictionaries Inc. p. 371. ISBN 1-56159-284-6.
  2. Yanow, Scott. "Joey Calderazzo: Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved 2010-09-19.
  3. "Secrets". Valley Entertainment-Sledgehammer Blues. Retrieved 17 June 2010.
  4. Astarita, Glenn (2000-06-01). "CD/LP Review: Joey Calderazzo". All About Jazz. Archived from the original on 2012-10-17. Retrieved 2010-09-19.
  5. Sullivan, Denise (January 2019). "Calderazzo Bounces Back". DownBeat. Vol. 86 no. 1. p. 26.
  6. Cook, Richard; Morton, Brian (1992). The Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD, LP & Cassette (1st ed.). Penguin. p. 174. ISBN 978-0-14-015364-4.
  7. "Joey Calderazzo | Album Discography | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
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