Joseph Patrick Moore

For more than a decade Joseph Patrick Moore has been touring, recording, and establishing himself as an artist with a unique voice and a diversity of talents. His skills as bassist; composer; arranger; producer; author; educator and founding partner of Blue Canoe Digital illustrate why he is a highly sought after musician. Moore's music and creative vision echoe the spirits of Quincy Jones; Herbie Hancock and Miles Davis to name a few.

Joseph Patrick Moore was born in Knoxville, Tn., on October 1, 1969. He was first introduced to music by his parents and sisters, who encouraged him to study music through the public school's band program. At the age of 7 Moore began his musical studies on alto saxophone. His band director, Chet Hedgecoth, was an early mentor giving young Joseph words of wisdom, practice tips, and encouragement throughout his school years. Upon entering high school, Joseph began playing drums in marching band while continuing his saxophone studies. In his sophomore year he picked up an electric bass and was immediately transfixed by the rumble and thunder of the instrument. Soon thereafter the saxophone and drums took the back seat against his passion for the bass. The need and thirst for instruction led the emerging bassist to Rusty Holloway, an alumnus of Woody Herman and instructor at The University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Holloway influenced Joseph to further his musical studies at the college level. Securing a full academic scholarship, Moore entered UTK with a concentration on electric and double bass, majoring in classical studies and jazz performance. Under the tutelage of Rusty Holloway; Donald Brown; Jerry Coker, and the rest of the talented UTK music staff, Joseph remained there until 1991.

After two and a half years in Knoxville, Moore transferred to The University of Memphis in order to pursue more professional performing opportunities. Shortly after his arrival in Memphis, JPM was gigging nightly with The Charlie Wood Trio (a B-3 jazz and R&B soaked combo) on Beale Street at The King's Palace Cafe. During this time he continued to develop his skills through studio work, teaching, and performing. He worked with James Williams; Doug Wamble; The Memphis Groovetet; Marie Osmond; Jerry Lewis; Herb Ellis; Carol Channing, and many others. During this time he also received the prestigious Milt Hinton Scholarship to further his jazz studies. In 1996 Moore financed, arranged, and produced his first solo effort, "Never Never Land". It is an elaborate and inspired recording, thought to be one of the finest jazz albums to ever be recorded in Memphis. This debut cd received airplay nationwide, charted on CMJ, and Moore received a nomination for the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences premier player award (Memphis chapter/April, 1997).

Later that year, Moore moved to his current home base in Atlanta. Soon after his arrival there he was snapped up by Capricorn recording artist Col. Bruce Hampton (and the Fiji Mariners). Cult legend and jamband guru Hampton regularly invited guest artists to sit in with the band, allowing Moore to network and create musical dialogues with icons such as Jimmy Herring; Warren Haynes; John Popper; Derek Trucks; Oteil Burbridge; Phish members Jon Phishman and Mike Gordon; Shawn Lane; Vassar Clements; Buddy Miles; Michael Ray, and many others.

After his tour of duty with Col. Bruce, Joseph performed locally in Atlanta and on national tours with the likes of Leo Neocentelli (Meters, Neville Bros.) and the eclectic bluegrass fusion "hickhop" bandBlueground Undergrass. After two years with Blueground Undergrass he closed out his stint with a farewell performance at NYC's famed Bottom Line. And, during this period Moore released two more cd's, this time more funk, world beat oriented, entitled "Soul Cloud" and "Alone Together".

Not content with these outstanding achievements, in 2003 JPM formed Blue Canoe Records. It is the first independent jazz label which is an "all digital record label". He recognized the need to put together a label that would not only feature his own music but would provide an outlet for the creativity of other musicians... without the commercial pressures that have become the norm throughout the industry. Blue Canoe Records is a testimonial to the underlying idealism of great music and the vision of Joseph Patrick Moore.

Moore's deep affection for music is also shown through his association with musicdojo.com. He joined up in 2003 with this next generation of music education and created several interactive online music classes which can be taken monthly over the internet. Since education was his first point of access to the world of music, it is only fitting that he should give back a little of what he has acquired.

Throughout the years 2003-2009, Joseph maintained a hectic touring and recording schedule. Releasing five independent solo efforts and working with many estimeed artists such as: Stewart Copeland (The Police), Earl Klugh, Chris Duarte and Michael Tolcher to name a few.

Currently bassist/producer Joseph Patrick Moore's journey continues in the pursuit of the sounds, colors, and rhythms of music. His latest cd release, "To Africa With Love" (scheduled for release in April/May 2010) is a collection of songs inspired by the magical enchantment of Africa, fused with his many musical influences and American heritage. What makes his newest release even more special is that Joseph not only performed on the recording, he was involved in every aspect of the creative process. Composing, arranging, engineering, mixing and the overall production of this audio diary reflects JPM's present musical and spiritual state. Check out: JPMAfricaLove.com