Review Text
Joe Traina has been leader of the Joe Traina Quartet and Quintet since 1990 performing extensively throughout the Tri-State area in such notable establishments as The Supper Club,Charley O's Times Square Grill,Tavern On The Green, Sardi's, B. Smith's Rooftop Cafe, Metronome, Sullivan's, The Savoy Grill, Tatou and Shelly's New York. Mr. Traina and his group were regular attractions at world famous Sardi's restaurant in New York's theatre district on Friday evenings for over two years in the Club Room where he presented vocalists from Broadway shows, cabaret and the world of jazz including Lillias White, Michele Pawk and Jo Sullivan Loesser. An accomplished clarinetist and saxophonist, Mr. Traina studied with William Blount, former principal clarinetist of the Orchestra Of St. Luke's, as well as with saxophonists Michael Migliore, Charles Pillow and David Pietro. Traina credits his earliest appreciation and knowledge of jazz to his longstanding relationship with the late trumpet legend Don Joseph. Joseph was a constant influence on Traina's development of a singing and melodic voice on both instruments. Mr. Traina has also presented numerous jazz concerts in New York over the past twelve years featuring original compositions in his MOSTLY JAZZ at the Greenwich House, the Hayden Planetarium and the Irish Arts Center. Among the musicians who have been represented in the series are pianist Mike Holober, bassist Chuck Bergeron, saxophonist Charles Pillow, trumpeter Randy Brecker, guitarist Vic Juris, saxophonist Andy Parsons and drummers Gene Lewin and Matt Wilson.
