Concerts

Joe Gransden has  performed worldwide and released 19 CDs under his own name. Renowned first for the hard bop approach of his trumpet, Gransden’s singing voice has been compared to that of Chet Baker and Frank Sinatra.

Smokey Robinson says:
“Joe has an innate ability to connect with an audience. His singing and trumpet playing are world class. Throw in his 16 piece big band and you have something very special!”

“When I first heard Joe nine years ago, I immediately thought of Chet,” says Jazziz magazine critic James Rozzi, “but lately his voice has taken on its own style with a deeper resonance. His trumpet has always alternated lyricism with an aggressive, angular approach. He has the ability to cover the gamut of emotions.”
Joe is from just north of Manhattan, New York. Coming from a family full of musicians, Joe’s introduction to music came early on through his father, a gifted singer and pianist. His grandfather was a trumpeter of merit, playing professionally his whole life throughout New York. On his mother’s side of the family was the piano virtuoso Carmen Cavallero.

“Music has been a part of my life as far back as I can remember,” says the unassuming Joe Gransden. “I can remember practicing with my father, and eventually him taking me along to sit in at jam sessions. Early on I developed a respect for individuals like my father whose lives revolved around music. While still in high school, I knew that music was the life I would choose.”

Clint Eastwood Says
“Joe is a young man with an old soul and a classic voice. He is a great new talent with a wonderful sense of humor to boot. And don’t forget, he plays a hell of a trumpet!”

Not long after high school, Joe was on the road as a sideman with the big bands of Tommy Dorsey and Glenn Miller. A number of A.F.M. contracted sideman gigs include Barry White, The Moody Blues, Kenny Rogers, The Temptations, Aretha Franklin, The Whispers, etc. Eventually moving to New York City, he performed with numerous groups, including sub work with Toshiko Akiyoshi and Chico O’Farrill at the famous Birdland Jazz Club. Meanwhile, Joe formed his own group, which performed in Brooklyn each week and included the venerable guitarist Joe Cohn and ex-Betty Carter bassist, Matt Hughes. “Having my own group and being fortunate enough to travel, play, and record has been a dream come true,” says Joe.

“Exploring the music with a steady group of great players has enabled me to continually grow.” Joe Gransden growing legion of fans around the country have obviously taken note. In Atlanta, where Joe plays steadily 5-6 nights a week in as many venues, his loyal following includes an array of people from blue-collar workers to upper crust businessmen and businesswomen who all share a love of good music.

Freddie Cole says
” Joe is an extraordinary musician and on top of that, a wonderful person and that ain’t no lie. With Joe singin’ and the band swingin’ It’s a Beautiful Thing!”

Like many developing jazzmen, Gransden’s early influences, which include Kenny Dorham and Miles Davis, were easily recognizable in his playing throughout his formative years. “Emulating the jazz greats is always the very first step,” says the historically-rooted Gransden. “But obviously, in order to be true to myself—who I am, what I believe in, my family background—I need to have a sound that’s my own. It’s taken me until recently to hone in on that voice and explore its potential. One of the truly enjoyable things about my career has been finding that my audience appreciates my individual talents.”!

A widening schedule has found Joe performing 300+ performances per year throughout the country at venues such as The Jazz Corner in Hilton Head, South Carolina, Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Dizzy’s Jazz Club in midtown Manhattan, The Blue Note in New York City and Tehema Golf Club in Carmel, California (where Joe regularly plays events for Clint Eastwood). Here in Atlanta you can catch Joe the 2nd Tuesday of every month with his Big Band at Roaring Social and every Monday at Napoleon’s where he leads his award winning Jazz Jam Session. His brand new CD “The Art of the Song” was just released and is getting lots of airplay on Siriusly Sinatra XM Radio. In 2016 Joe was honored to accept the Jazz Hero Award from the Jazz Journalists Association for his continuation to the Atlanta Jazz Scene and his dedication to students both through his teaching at Georgia State University and his yearly Jazz Camp for Kids (JoesJazzCamp.com)

THE JOE GRANSDEN BIG BAND

The Joe Gransden 16 Piece Big Band is quickly becoming one of the busiest groups on the jazz scene. Originally formed in 2009 Joe and the guys have continued to build momentum and are performing numerous shows around the country. The bands new release entitled “It’s A Beautiful Thing” has sold incredibly well and is getting radio air play all over the world! The cd was recorded live at Cafe 290 in Atlanta Georgia where the band holds a steady gig twice every single month. “The Big Band truly has its own sound and really swings!” Says Gransden, “I attribute that to the arrangements that were all written by jazz trombone great Wes Funderburk! It’s such a pleasure to front a band of top musicians that can interpret Wes’s arrangements perfectly! These guys are the best!”

There legion of fans continues to grow as well.

A SONG STYLIST in her own right, Maria has shared the musical stage with such
legendary artists as Nancy Wilson, George Benson, Ray Charles and Earl Klugh. After a
very successful 6 year stint in Asia, Maria relocated back to the U.S. and performed at Sambuca Jazz Café for 9 consecutive years…from 2002, to its closing in December 2010. She and pianist Bill Wilson (son of legendary jazz pianist Teddy Wilson), held the distinction of being the longest running act at the Atlanta location. Since then, she has traveled extensively, performing at well known jazz/supper clubs, performing arts theaters, and festivals across the U.S.