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. Brecker produced Calderazzo's first album, In the Door, which featured Jerry Bergonzi and Branford Marsalis, his brother's roommate in Boston. They played on his second album, To Know One, which included Dave Holland and Jack DeJohnette.
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. In 1999 he recorded Joey Calderazzo with John Patitucci and Jeff 'Tain' Watts. 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.
Discography As leader/co-leader Year recordedTitleLabelNotes1990In the DoorBlue NoteWith Branford Marsalis (soprano sax, tenor sax), Jerry Bergonzi and Michael Brecker (tenor sax), Jay Anderson (bass), Peter Erskine and Adam Nussbaum (drums), Don Alias (percussion)1991To Know OneBlue NoteWith Branford Marsalis (soprano sax, tenor sax), Jerry Bergonzi (tenor sax), Dave Holland (bass), Jack DeJohnette (drums)1993?The TravelerBlue NoteTrio, with John Patitucci and Jay Anderson (bass; separately); Peter Erskine and Jeff Hirshfield (drums; separately)1995?SecretsAudioQuestWith various, from trio to octet1996?Our StandardsGowi1997?Simply MusicLost ChartTrio, with Sylvain Gagnon (bass), Jeff "Tain" Watts (drums)1999Joey CalderazzoColumbia/Sony MusicTrio, with John Patitucci (bass), Jeff "Tain" Watts (drums)2002HaikuMarsalis MusicSolo piano2006AmanecerMarsalis MusicMost tracks solo piano; one track duo with Romero Lubambo (guitar); one track duo with Claudia Acuña (vocals); two tracks trio, with Lubambo and Acuña2011?Songs of Mirth & MelancholyEmArcy/Marsalis MusicDuo, co-led with Branford Marsalis (saxes)2011LiveSunnysideTrio, with Orlando le Fleming (bass), Donald Edwards (drums); in concert2015?Going HomeSunnysideOne track piano solo; most tracks trio, with Orlando le Fleming (bass), Adam Cruz (drums); one track quartet, with Branford Marsalis (tenor sax) added2017Live from The Cotton Club, Tokyo, Volume IDot TimeTrio, with Orlando le Fleming (bass), Donald Edwards (drums); in concert
Main source:
As sideman Year recordedLeaderTitleLabel1988Michael BreckerDon’t Try This At HomeImpulse1989ColorBlue Note1990Now You See It… (Now You Don't)GRP1991HopeBlue Note1991This Is NewBlue Note1996Fast CompanyBlue Jackel1996Tales from the HudsonImpulse!1998Two Blocks from the EdgeImpulse!2000Contemporary JazzSony Music2000Heart of HeartsPalmetto2002Footsteps of Our FathersMarsalis Music2001The ForgottenOrigin2001–2002Bar TalkColumbia2003Romare Bearden RevealedMarsalis Music2004A Love Supreme: Live in AmsterdamMarsalis Music2004EternalMarsalis Music2006BraggtownRounder Records2009MetamophosenMarsalis Music2010RefractionArt of Life2010The Transform QuintetAnother ChildNaRator2011Four MFs Playin' TunesMarsalis Music2016Upward SpiralMusic on Vinyl2018?The QuestionsOKeh2019The Secret Between the Shadow and the SoulMarsalis Music2025BelongingBlue Note
References