Joe Morello: Biography

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• Mel Lewis
• Max Roach
• Duffy Jackson
• Jeff "Tain" Watts
• Jack DeJohnette
• Butch Miles

• Dave Tough
• Don Lamond
• Gene Krupa
• Louie Bellson
• Buddy Rich

• Haroldo Jobim
• Mitch Mitchell
• Hal Blaine
• Billy Martin

• Dave Brubeck
• Gene Wright
• Paul Desmond
• Marian McPartland
• Teo Macero
• Eugene Wright

Born:

Jul 17, 1928 in Springfield, MA

Genres:

Classical Music, Bop Jazz Music, Cool Jazz Music

Decades Active:

1950's|1960's|1970's|1980's|1990's

Artistic Quality

Medium

Cultural Impact

Medium

Popularity

Low

Ratings Guide

A brilliant drummer, Joe Morello played early on with Phil Woods and Sal Salvador. He had short stints during 19521953 with Johnny Smith, Stan Kenton's Orchestra, and Gil Melle, but really gained a strong reputation for his work with the Marian McPartland trio (19531956); he also played during the period with Tal Farlow and Jimmy Raney. Morello gained fame as a member of the Dave Brubeck Quartet during 19561967, making it possible for Brubeck to experiment with unusual time signatures. Due to his failing eyesight (he went blind in 1976), Morello has mostly worked as a drum instructor since (Danny Gottlieb was a student), but still plays and participated in reunions with Brubeck and McPartland. He has led sessions for Score (1956), RCA (19611962), Ovation (1969), and DMP (19931994).

- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide