Born in Cold Spring, New York, Joe Carozza is a Hudson Valley native who attended and graduated from the Berklee College of Music in the 1987. Joe has been performing and teaching music/percussion to aspiring musicians of all ages in New York since 1990, both privately and in public schools. Joe’s inherent love of percussion inspires students who gain a deep understanding of and appreciation for music. |
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A message from Joe...
I’ve been teaching drums and percussion for over 25 years with one main goal, to set a new standard for drumming education in the Hudson Valley. Here at JC’s Drum School, I offer a comprehensive, hands-on education in contemporary drumming techniques and styles. I oversee all private instruction at the drum school and am a faculty member at the Dutchess Community College Music School, and recognized as one of the Hudson Valley’s best percussion instructors.
My approach to music is designed to be fun, instructive and build confidence. There is no one better qualified to help prepare students for NYSSMA, All County, All State, and Scholarship College Auditions. Instruction is well-rounded, with students developing a proficiency in all styles of music including classical, jazz, rock, funk, latin and more, while also tailoring instruction to a student’s interest.
“Building a strong, rudimentary foundation is key and gives the opportunity to become the best drummer possible.”
My approach to music is designed to be fun, instructive and build confidence. There is no one better qualified to help prepare students for NYSSMA, All County, All State, and Scholarship College Auditions. Instruction is well-rounded, with students developing a proficiency in all styles of music including classical, jazz, rock, funk, latin and more, while also tailoring instruction to a student’s interest.
“Building a strong, rudimentary foundation is key and gives the opportunity to become the best drummer possible.”
When leaving your drum lesson at JC's Drum School you will be inspired and feel motivated to achieve your goals!
Joe's Bio
Joe was born in Cold Spring, NY and began banging on his mother’s pots and pans at the early age of three. Influenced by his uncle, Al Carozza who was also a drummer. Joe began drum lessons with him at the age of seven. He stared on a drum pad, focusing on rudiments and stick control. With the support of his parents a few years later he received his first drum set.
At the age of twelve, Joe began studying with drummer Don Watrous, until he left for Berklee College of Music in 1984. Joe credits much of his teaching skills today to Don. Don was a great inspiration for Joe and taught him much about Jazz and Big Band music and how to read a show. He taught him how and what to listen for in the music. During this time, Joe was influenced by great dummers, such as Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich and Max Roach, just to mention a few.
While in high school, Joe performed in local rock bands, school jazz, pit and marching bands. In his senior year he was awarded the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award. At this time he was performing professionally with bands throughout the Tristate area. He recorded his first 45 record in 1983 with good friend Ed Brown, who was also a huge inspiration musically. Joe began teaching drums in his junior year in high school, which he enjoyed the moment he taught his first lesson. “It’s all about passing on and sharing ones knowledge, love for the instrument and expertise.”
While attending Berklee College of Music, Joe had an opportunity to study with Alan Dawson, John Ramsey, Joe Hunt and Bob Gullotti. He also performed and played with some of Berklee’s faculty including Gary Burton, Alan Chase, John Stein, James Williams and Phil Wilson. Peers that Joe drummed with include, Julian Joseph, Mark Turner, Antonio Hart, Same Newsom and Jeff Parker, along with many others.
After graduating from Berklee in 1987, Joe landed a steady gig for a year as the show band drummer on American Hawaii Cruise Lines. He came back to the Hudson Valley in 1990 to begin teaching drums. He taught music and band in the public schools. Joe worked from Paul Effman part-time, free-lanced and played in a popular wedding band. Many of his gigs included Jazz, Blues, Rock, studio recordings, drum clinics and working with Sammy Kaye and Sonny Carroll Big Bands, as well as performing throughout the Catskill resort area. At this time, Joe continued to hand-out and occasionally study with Charlie Persip and John Riley. Joe always likes to tell his students “you never stop learning, that’s the beauty of the instrument, once a student always a student. There is always something to work on. You can have music with you as long as you live.”
Through the years, JC’s Drum School continued to grow with many of the finest drummers from all over the Hudson Valley Region. Some of the students play in their school bands and attend NYSSMA, All-County, area All-State, concert and Jazz bands. Many of the students form their own rock bands and play in the local music scene and some have gone onto perform in many parts of the world. A few of his students have become accomplished drum instructors. Each year there are a number of JC’s Drum School students that attend music colleges, and there’s also students that just enjoy drum lessons and play for their own enjoyment and fun.
Joe has performed with many of the country’s finest musicians, including Nick Brignola, Pete Yellen, Billy Drews, Bertha Hope, Bill Crow, Walter Booker, Jay Anderson, Carmen Leggio, Drew Gress, Turk Mauro, Joshua Breakstone, Eddie Bert, Ira Coleman, Steve Gilmore, Jim Cammack, Julius Baker, Dick Griffith, Giacomo Gates, Cameron Brown, Harvey Swartz, Eric persons, Armond Denelian, Tony Marino, Hugh Brody, Ed Diehl, Ed Xiques, John Espisito and many others.
Joe is best known for his work with the Joe Carozza Trio, which included Peter Tomlinson and Tom Charlap and was voted #1 Jazz band in the 2000 issue of Rhythm and News Magazine. He also worked with the Louis Landan Trio including Lew Scott on bass. Joe previously played with the Steve Raleigh Quartet and played drums on the “Inner Door” recorded in 2003. Joe released his latest CD in 2015 “Crossing the Hudson” featuring Peter Tomlinson and Jim Curtin.
Joe is an in-demand drummer with endorsements by Canopus Drums and Aquarian Drum Heads.
At the age of twelve, Joe began studying with drummer Don Watrous, until he left for Berklee College of Music in 1984. Joe credits much of his teaching skills today to Don. Don was a great inspiration for Joe and taught him much about Jazz and Big Band music and how to read a show. He taught him how and what to listen for in the music. During this time, Joe was influenced by great dummers, such as Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich and Max Roach, just to mention a few.
While in high school, Joe performed in local rock bands, school jazz, pit and marching bands. In his senior year he was awarded the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award. At this time he was performing professionally with bands throughout the Tristate area. He recorded his first 45 record in 1983 with good friend Ed Brown, who was also a huge inspiration musically. Joe began teaching drums in his junior year in high school, which he enjoyed the moment he taught his first lesson. “It’s all about passing on and sharing ones knowledge, love for the instrument and expertise.”
While attending Berklee College of Music, Joe had an opportunity to study with Alan Dawson, John Ramsey, Joe Hunt and Bob Gullotti. He also performed and played with some of Berklee’s faculty including Gary Burton, Alan Chase, John Stein, James Williams and Phil Wilson. Peers that Joe drummed with include, Julian Joseph, Mark Turner, Antonio Hart, Same Newsom and Jeff Parker, along with many others.
After graduating from Berklee in 1987, Joe landed a steady gig for a year as the show band drummer on American Hawaii Cruise Lines. He came back to the Hudson Valley in 1990 to begin teaching drums. He taught music and band in the public schools. Joe worked from Paul Effman part-time, free-lanced and played in a popular wedding band. Many of his gigs included Jazz, Blues, Rock, studio recordings, drum clinics and working with Sammy Kaye and Sonny Carroll Big Bands, as well as performing throughout the Catskill resort area. At this time, Joe continued to hand-out and occasionally study with Charlie Persip and John Riley. Joe always likes to tell his students “you never stop learning, that’s the beauty of the instrument, once a student always a student. There is always something to work on. You can have music with you as long as you live.”
Through the years, JC’s Drum School continued to grow with many of the finest drummers from all over the Hudson Valley Region. Some of the students play in their school bands and attend NYSSMA, All-County, area All-State, concert and Jazz bands. Many of the students form their own rock bands and play in the local music scene and some have gone onto perform in many parts of the world. A few of his students have become accomplished drum instructors. Each year there are a number of JC’s Drum School students that attend music colleges, and there’s also students that just enjoy drum lessons and play for their own enjoyment and fun.
Joe has performed with many of the country’s finest musicians, including Nick Brignola, Pete Yellen, Billy Drews, Bertha Hope, Bill Crow, Walter Booker, Jay Anderson, Carmen Leggio, Drew Gress, Turk Mauro, Joshua Breakstone, Eddie Bert, Ira Coleman, Steve Gilmore, Jim Cammack, Julius Baker, Dick Griffith, Giacomo Gates, Cameron Brown, Harvey Swartz, Eric persons, Armond Denelian, Tony Marino, Hugh Brody, Ed Diehl, Ed Xiques, John Espisito and many others.
Joe is best known for his work with the Joe Carozza Trio, which included Peter Tomlinson and Tom Charlap and was voted #1 Jazz band in the 2000 issue of Rhythm and News Magazine. He also worked with the Louis Landan Trio including Lew Scott on bass. Joe previously played with the Steve Raleigh Quartet and played drums on the “Inner Door” recorded in 2003. Joe released his latest CD in 2015 “Crossing the Hudson” featuring Peter Tomlinson and Jim Curtin.
Joe is an in-demand drummer with endorsements by Canopus Drums and Aquarian Drum Heads.
