barnajazz@yahoo.com

Joe Barna is a composer and drummer who’s music and playing span the entire jazz idiom from swing and bebop, to hard bop, soul jazz, and modern.  After finishing his degree in jazz studies from The Purchase College Conservatory of Music, Joe moved back to the Capital Region to continue writing and performing. Some of the teachers that have influenced Joe have been John Riley, Adam Nussbaum, Hal Galper, Jon Faddis, Todd Coolman and Charles Blenzig.  Joe’s main influences as a drummer are Roy Haynes, “Philly” Joe Jones, Elvin Jones, Max Roach, Paul Motian, Art Blakey, Idris Mohammed, and Tony Williams.

Joe’s current band Sketches of Influence is a 5 piece jazz ensemble made of some of New York’s finest  jazz performers.  Joe Magnarelli (trumpet) Jon Gordon (saxophone) Dave Solazzo (piano) Lou Smaldone (acoustic bass) and Joe Barna (drummer/composer/musical director) make up Sketches of Influence.

Joe Barna performs exclusively with Mapex Drums, Sabian Cymbals, Vic Firth Sticks and Evans Drum Heads.