Joey Calderazzo

Joseph Dominick Calderazzo (February 27, 1965) is an American jazz pianist and brother of musician Gene Calderazzo. He played extensively in bands led by Michael Brecker and Branford Marsalis, and has also led his own bands.

Early life Calderazzo was born in New Rochelle, New York. He began studying classical piano at age eight. His brother, Gene, got him interested in jazz. He studied with Richard Beirach and in the 1980s continued his studies at Berklee College of Music and the Manhattan School of Music. At the same time, he was playing professionally with David Liebman and Frank Foster.

Later life and career At a music clinic he met saxophonist Michael Brecker and became part of his quintet beginning in 1987. In 1990, he signed with Blue Note Records.

Calderazzo appeared on Brecker's albums Tales from the Hudson and Two Blocks from the Edge as pianist and composer. He played keyboard in Marsalis's Buckshot LeFonque and contributed to his album Music Evolution. When pianist Kenny Kirkland died in 1998, Calderazzo assumed his place in the Branford Marsalis Quartet. He played on Marsalis's albums Contemporary Jazz, Footsteps of Our Fathers, Romare Bearden Revealed, Eternal and on the DVD Coltrane's 'A Love Supreme' Live in Amsterdam. Calderazzo's composition "Hope" appears on Braggtown.

He was one of the first musicians to sign with Marsalis Music, owned by Branford Marsalis. Haiku, his first solo album, appeared in 2002. His album Amanacer featured singer Claudia Acuña and guitarist Romero Lubambo. In 2011, he and Marsalis formed a duo and recorded Songs of Mirth and Melancholy.

Calderazzo developed cubital tunnel syndrome in 2017, resulting in numbness in two fingers of his right hand. Following surgery and rest, he was able to return to playing as before. 1991 To Know One Blue Note With Branford Marsalis (soprano sax, tenor sax), Jerry Bergonzi (tenor sax), Dave Holland (bass), Jack DeJohnette (drums)

As sideman