Biography
Originally hailing from St. Louis, Joe Friedman began playing guitar in early childhood, entering recording studios by age ten and appearing onstage publicly at thirteen. A summer at Michigan’s Interlochen Music Camp brought him into contact with Bob Ferrazza, under whom he studied, before he continued his training at the Oberlin Conservatory with both Ferrazza and Jimmy Ponder, receiving a dean’s talent scholarship in the process. After settling in New York City he received additional tutelage from guitar masters Rodney Jones and Paul Bollenback. Club work in the Big Apple soon led to extensive touring with Eartha Kitt, a collaboration with his chief influence George Benson on a tribute to organist Brother Jack McDuff, and performances alongside organists Sam Yahel and Mike LeDonne. In the course of his still-young career he has also appeared with Eddie Daniels, Norman Simmons, Ruth Brown, Vanessa Rubin, Robin Eubanks, Winard Harper, and the Rockettes while contributing to several Broadway productions. During 2007 he was featured on the CBS-TV series Love Monkey, worked as a studio sideman for assorted pop and rock acts, and composed music for the NASCAR Nextel Cup racing program.
Albums