Joe is originally from Shelby, NC, and graduated from Duke University in 2010 with a degree in Structural Engineering. He spent four years working as an assistant 
construction superintendent for HITT Contracting in Washington, DC. During this period he started Albino Rhino, joined Bells and Hunters, began an intensive study of jazz, and took voice lessons from Meghan McCall.
In 2014, Joe left HITT to work as an assistant director at Bach to Rock, a music school based in Chantilly, VA, where he managed music teachers, coordinated music lessons, summer camps, birthday parties, and taught lessons on guitar, piano, saxophone, clarinet, and drums. During this period, he studied progressive rock guitar techniques with Aaron Sefchick, began studying jazz guitar with Rick Whitehead (former guitarist for the Airmen of Note), and joined the Kairos Quintet, a band composed of Bach to Rock music instructors.
In January 2015, Joe entered George Mason University’s jazz program as a full-time student. He continued his studies with Rick Whitehead, and later studied with Shawn Purcell (current guitarist for the Navy Commodores). Aside from jazz guitar and jazz improvisation, he studied music theory, aural skills, music history, music technology, music education, piano, woodwinds, percussion, and strings.
In June 2016, Joe moved from the Washington, DC area to Virginia Beach, VA due to his wife’s work. From May 2016 to October 2019 he played over 350 shows in the region and taught over 2500 private music lessons. He regularly performed as a solo act for Live! on Atlantic at the oceanfront, at multiple local breweries and bars, and for many retirement communities. He also formed Blue Orpheus, a jazz duo with VEER award-winning vocalist and flautist, Jennifer Gammill (https://www.jennifergammill.com/blue-orpheus). While in Virginia Beach, Joe worked with Aaron Sefchick as a co-host of Fret Buzz the Podcast, which released 72 episodes. For more info, see www.fretbuzzthepodcast.com.
In October 2019, Joe moved with his wife to Honolulu, HI. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, he continued his music career in the tropical paradise with live performances, private lessons, and the release of two solo fingerstyle guitar albums [Acoustic Oasis (2020) and Riding the Wave (2021)].
In August 2022, Joe moved to New York City with his wife and infant son. He stayed busy performing, composing music, and writing method books for both fingerstyle guitar and ukulele. He released his third solo fingerstyle guitar album, Pins on the Map, in early 2024.
In August 2024, Joe moved to Norfolk, VA where he currently resides with his wife, 2 year old son, and his newborn. He is still actively performing, teaching, composing, and reviewing guitar books on Guitar Books the Podcast.
Albino Rhino: Joe was the guitarist and vocalist for Albino Rhino from 2012 – 2016. He formed the band in 2012 with Ren Hutt and Avi Walter. The band played funk-infused rock and blues, with elements of jazz and a tendency for extended improvisational jams that took their live audiences on an ever-evolving emotional rollercoaster. In 2013, Albino Rhino landed a record deal with Lathan Entertainment and began recording their first full-length album. In early 2015, due to the slow pace of their Lathan album, the band independently recorded and released an EP, “Owe It To the People,” and spent a week touring the major cities of the Northeast. In 2015, jazz pianist Justin Paschalides joined the band, adding richness, texture, and organ solos to Albino Rhino’s sound. In early 2016, Brian Moran, a notable drummer in the DC region, became the new drummer. In May 2016, after leaving Lathan Entertainment, the band finally completed and released their original full-length album which they started in 2013. On July 15, 2016, Albino Rhino released a new EP, “In Review,” which contains their latest and greatest songs showcasing the band’s new lineup and talents. Joe left the band in the summer of 2016 when he moved to Virginia Beach to reunite with his now-wife.
albinorhino-us.bandcamp.com/
www.reverbnation.com/albinorhinous
www.facebook.com/albinorhino.us
Bells and Hunters: Joe played lead guitar for Bells and Hunters from 2013 – 2016. Formed in 2008 by Kelly Ann Beavers (vocals) and Keith Fischer (rhythm guitar, vocals) over a mutual love of creativity, song writing, and Jeff Buckley. In the years since, the band has distinguished itself with an eclectic sound that mixes roots and 90’s rock, folk, blues, and guitar solos behind Kelly and Keith’s unique vocals. Guido Dehoratiis adds tremendous energy on the drums, while Avi Walter holds down the bass groove. Joe recorded on all three volumes of the “Modern Witch’s Songbook,” including electric and acoustic guitars, harmonica, tenor saxophone, and mandolin.
www.bellsandhunters.com
www.facebook.com/bellsandhunters
The Kairos Quintet: Active from the fall of 2014 – the summer of 2016, Joe was one of two guitarists who equally share the roles of lead and rhythm guitar, and he sings several of the band’s songs. The Kairos Quintet is composed of 5 professional musicians working together to create original music: Aaron Sefchick (guitar, vocals), Shaun Rodgers (drums, vocals), Eugene Iosilevich (keys, vocals), Sean Mason (bass), and Joe. Each member of the Kairos Quintet comes from a different musical background with different influences on their style. While one person may bring a classic to modern rock feel to his music, another brings a heavy jazz influence, or heavy blues or funk influence. From the blues rock sound of “Train Rolls Fast” to the Latin influenced “Caught” and beyond, the result of five backgrounds coming together is a truly mixed sound- every song sounds different in terms of genre, but every song sounds familiar in terms of timbre and tonality.
www.kairosquintet.com