Booking Contact: Nia Michelle www.jafjazz.

com
646.369.4857 - niamichelle@aol.com




Longtime saxophonist Joe Ford has a stunning and diverse career that proves a musicians evolution is worth
the years that go into it. People who haven't seen me as a leader will be surprised. My music isn't about hooks
and gratuitous soloing. It has a wide variety of styles allowing the quality of the songs and musicianship stand
out. I hope to encourage people to increase their listening palettes."The development of Joe Fords unique style
is the result of a lifetime of preparation and diverse musical experiences. Born in Buffalo, New York, Joe grew
up in a family that granted him the opportunity to be surrounded by different forms of music. Fostering his
artistic aptitude early on, Joe began playing piano at age 7 and switched seamlessly to the saxophone at age 11.
While in high school and later attending college he performed with a variety of campus groups, guest
performers and local funk bands. "All the styles I grew up with and have played professionally, funk, gospel,
classical, avant-garde and jazz, are within me. Though I've been playing professionally for many years, every
note I play is brand new, providing a current overview of what I'm about at the present time."
After graduating from Central State University, Joe returned to Buffalo to teach music and direct a school band
and chorus. In addition to his day job, he continuously worked with local groups and house bands where he
backed up such touring acts as The Miracles. In 1973, as co-leader and co-producer with tenor saxophonist Paul
Gresham, and drummer Nasar Abadey, the locally popular Coltrane/Miles-influenced jazz band, BIRTHRIGHT
was formed. This alliance resulted in the release of two critically acclaimed albums for Freelance Records:
Free Spirits and Breath of Life. During this time Joe also played with the Buffalo Jazz Ensemble, a group
featuring future members of Spyro Gyro.

Since his arrival, Joe Ford has appeared on more than 80 albums and soundtracks, including New York
Undercover, the popular Fox police drama. His performances have been witnessed at over 300 jazz venues &
festivals with The McCoy Tyner Big Band, Jerry Gonzalez and the Fort Apache Band, Kenny Kirkland,
Abdullah Ibrahim, Jeff "Tain" Watts, Freddy Cole, Malachi Thompson, Charles Fambrough, Nova Bossa Nova,
and John Blake. Joe Ford has been featured on two Grammy winning albums and three Grammy nominated
albums. As a member of The Fort Apache Band, and other groups, Ford proved to be a pivotal player helping
the bands become winners of the Downbeat Critics Poll Award, The World Beat Group Readers Poll Award, a
New York Jazz Award, multiple Playboy Jazz Poll awards, The Seagrams Jazz Talent Search and a Jazz
Journalist Award.

Fords' legacy was solidified in 2004 when he was inducted into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame. Throughout
his vibrant career, Joe has stood out as a teacher, composer, pianist and saxophonist. His style is in the tradition
of John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter and Jackie McLean, with a personalized approach to improvisation. Joe Ford
is continually reaching new audiences in the best way possible; through heartfelt, intensely performed music
that strikes a chord with jazz aficionados, fans and critics alike.
Joe Ford
Musician Composer Arranger - Educator