* En anglais uniquement
Joe La Barbera is best-known for being part of
Bill Evans' last trio (1978-1980) along with bassist
Marc Johnson but he has remained greatly in-demand up to the present time. The younger brother of tenor saxophonist
Pat La Barbera and arranger-trumpeter
John La Barbera,
Joe was originally taught drums by his father
Joseph La Barbera before studying with
Alan Dawson during his period at Berklee (1966-1968). La Barbera toured with singer
Frankie Randall, spent two years in the Army, toured with
Woody Herman's Big Band and then was with
Chuck Mangione's very popular band (1973-1977). After a period freelancing in New York, La Barbera toured the world with
Bill Evans, making many recordings as part of one of the pianist's finest groups. The drummer's tasteful and stimulating playing inspired both
Evans and
Johnson. After the pianist's death, La Barbera toured with
Tony Bennett and then settled in Los Angeles. During the '80s and 90s, he worked steadily in a countless number of situations, becoming a fixture in Los Angeles area clubs and occasionally leading his own quintet.
Joe La Barbera has appeared on scores of recordings where his subtle yet swinging style uplifts every session. ~ Scott Yanow