Joe Farnsworth Quartet

Hard-driving rhythm with a classic jazz sound

Sponsored by Lorna Jorgensen & Paul Lehnert and Catherine & James DeBlasio

Concerts : Sunday Dec 6: 5 PM & 8 PM | Monday Dec 7 : 6:30 PM

As one of the most highly regarded jazz drummers on the scene today, Joe is known for his blazing speed, precision, musical, and melodic playing. And BJS subscribers know this. They have heard his drumming back up some of our featured artists. Most recently, Joe was in Boise helping Emmet Cohen drive his Miles and Coltrane at 100 Tour.

Born in South Hadley, Massachusetts, in 1968, Joe grew up in a musical family; his father was a music educator, and he has four older brothers, two of whom became professional musicians.

He studied with Alan Dawson and Arthur Taylor prior to attending and graduating from William Patterson College in New Jersey in 1994. This is where he began playing with saxophonist Eric Alexander and guitarist Peter Bernstein.

Upon moving to New York City, he led the weekend jazz combos at Augie’s (now Smoke Jazz & Supper Club). He performed with Junior Cook, Cecil Payne, John Ore, Big John Patton, Harold Mabern, Eddie Henderson, John Jenkins, and his brothers, John and James.

Joseph’s career includes recording over 100 CDs as leader and sideman, as well as jazz festivals and world tours with Pharaoh Sanders, Horace Silver, Harold Mabern, McCoy Tyner, Cedar Walton, Diana Krall, Benny Golson, George Coleman, Johnny Griffin, Lou Donaldson, Benny Green, Barry Harris, and Curtis Fuller, to name a few.

Recent albums include “Time to Swing” (2020), “City of Sounds” (2021), “In What Direction Are You Headed?” (2023), and, most recently, “The Big Room” (2025). “The Big Room” topped the JazzWeek Charts at number one and spent three weeks at number 2. It was on this chart for almost half a year.

As drummerworld.com notes, “His drumming has supported legends, shaped sessions, and filled rooms with swing and soul.” At this concert, Joe’s tradition will continue.