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Joe Daley (musician)

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Joe Daley

Joe Daley (July 30, 1918 - March 5, 1994) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist, composer, and music teacher. Though Joe never won the widespread recognition of fellow avant-gardists such as Ornette Coleman, his contributions to music in Chicago, and to modern jazz in general, won him peer recognition throughout the jazz world. His legacy has continued through the successful musical contributions of his many students, such as David Sanborn, Paul Winter, Rich Corpolongo, John Klemmer and Emmy winner Jim DiPasquale.

In Detroit

Born in Salem, Ohio, he moved to Detroit, Michigan as a child. In 1936 at age 18, Joe saw a friend garner attention with a saxophone, so Joe got his own and began to play. He was drawn to the jazz bands of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, Larry Clinton, Tommy Dorsey and Artie Shaw.

Joe’s first sax was an alto, but he soon gravitated to a tenor sax. He doubled on clarinet, and later, flute. He studied with Larry Teal http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Teal and others, but wanting to expand beyond them he became mostly self-taught. When he later began to teach, Joe was determined to do it more comprehensively.

Joe worked in Detroit until World War II. His early models for playing were Coleman Hawkins, Georgie Auld, and Lester “Pres” Young. Joe played with small combos locally in Detroit and a little touring, including New York. He later commented that he especially appreciated that only the New York and Detroit branches of the American Federation of Musicians were racially integrated. It would not be until 1974 that all locals would be so. This gave Joe the opportunity to experience a unique musical and cultural crossover, a rarity for the times.

When World War II began, Joe enlisted in the Army Air Corps and became a pilot. He was stationed in Montgomery, Alabama. He played in the Air Corps Band entertaining the troops. After discharge, he moved to Chicago.

Wanting to expand his musicianship with a classical musical education, he used the GI Bill to enroll in the prestigious Chicago Musical College and earned a Bachelors Degree in Music. He went on to pursue a Masters Degree in Composition.

In Chicago

After the war when Charlie “Bird” Parker emerged, Joe was completely bowled over by his style, and he began to emulate him while developing his own jazz chops.

Joe worked as a jobbing musician and music teacher at Chicago’s Rizzo School of Music while he went to college. He took a leave of absence to tour with Woody Herman’s band in 1950-51 [After April 1950 and BEFORE July 1951 need citation]with Urbie Green on trombone, Sonny Igoe on drums, and Red Mitchell on bass, among others. Joe also performed about 30 sides (uncredited) for Pat Boone on Dot Records, just for the paycheck.

Joe was an early adopter of Be-Bop a la Bird, and appreciated John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins. He was inspired by Ornette Coleman to eventually get into what became known as “free” jazz as early as 1955, playing outside the changes, pure and atonal playing. He committed himself to this style with his own bands, The Joe Daley Trio and The Joe Daley Quorum.

The Joe Daley Trio was formed in 1959 with percussionist Hal Russell http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hal_Russell

  • "Hal Russell Is Standing Garde In Jazz - Chicago Tribune". articles.chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2014-06-12.

and bassist Russell Thorne http://madisonjazz.org/russell-thorne-to-make-rare-appearance/. The Trio played at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1963, and later released The Joe Daley Trio At Newport ’63 on RCA Records. Russell Thorne was later replaced with bassist Clyde Flowers by the time of the 1965 Down Beat Jazz Festival; the trio continued to play together until 1966 (?). The Joe Daley Quorum was formed in 1972, with Rich Corpolongo on alto sax and piccolo, Bobby Lewis on trumpet, Bobby Roberts on electric bass (later Steve LaSpina), and Hal Russell (later Dan Martin) on percussion.

Out of financial necessity, in 1971–1974 Joe accepted a regular gig in the house band at the Mill Run Playhouse, a dinner theatre in Niles, just outside Chicago from He played behind visiting musical notables such as Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, and many others.

From 1979 (?) to 1987, Joe played a regular session at a Chicago nightclub, Orphan’s, with local jazz players and some of Joe’s own music students. It was there he was free to blow his own way, and he loved it. He willing paid the rhythm section out of his own pocket when nights were slow.

Teaching

Joe would teach saxophone students from beginner level and up; for those players of any other instruments, including voice, he would teach improvisation, composition, and how to expand their range. With his beginning students, at the first lesson Joe would ask them to sing---usually Take Me Out to the Ball Game---to test them for their “ear” to hear pitch and melody. Learning to play tunes in all 12 keys was mandatory. Typical novice sax pieces Joe assigned were Billie’s Bounce and Now’s The Time, seminal Charlie Parker tunes.

Joe had a reputation as a fierce teacher who did not suffer fools or slackers gladly. He demanded commitment to practice. His form of praise was usually the absence of criticism; he expected the best from those he taught, and he got it. When students had trouble paying for lessons, he occasionally exchanged lessons for chores.

DePaul University’s School of Music pursued Joe for years to teach jazz in their esteemed program. In an effort to put the pleas to rest, Joe tried insisting that the School would need to send students to his home for classes. To his utter shock, the School agreed with his requirements. Joe joined the faculty of De Paul University in 1985(?) until he left Chicago in 1987.

Joe’s students encompassed a full range of talent; they hailed from high school bands and from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Many students became renowned professional musicians, and music teachers themselves at universities around the country.

Personal Life

Joseph Albert Daley was born July 30, 1918 in Salem, Ohio, the son of Esther (Meek) of Salem and James Daley of Girard, Ohio. The Meeks emigrated from England in 1719, the Daleys (originally Delie) from Italy in 1888. James was a billiards champion, Esther a domestic maid. A second son Glenn died at age 8 from diphtheria.

Joe was an A student in school. His early interests included technical drawing and baseball; he had a lifelong ability to remember baseball statistics perfectly. The family moved to Detroit in the 1920s and James found work at Chrysler as a crane operator. Later Joe did some assembly line work in the auto factory before he turned to music.

Joe met tenor saxophonist and future wife Jeannette “Jackie” Rombach while she was on tour in one of “all-girl” bands that proliferated during WWII. They married July 14, 1943 in Montgomery, Alabama where Joe was stationed. After the war they moved to Jackie’s hometown of Chicago. Both continued to work as professional jobbing musicians.

Joe and Jackie had two daughters, Robin Ellyn born 1950 and Rhea Elaine born 1952. The couple divorced in 1962. Joe married a second time to Joann [Yockey] Coyle in 1964. Robert Coyle, Jr. became Joe’s stepson. The couple divorced in 1973.

Trivia

In the early 1940s Joe wore a zoot suit and was a hipster. In the 1950s he was a Beatnik. Joe always used jive talk. He called everyone “baby” or “man.” Musicians were “cats.” A car was a “short,” an apartment a “pad,” a job a “gig,” and money “bread.”

If he hadn’t become a musician, Joe would have become an astronomer. He had a vast knowledge of astronomy.

From 1946 to 1956, Joe lived at 5960 S. Lowe Ave., Chicago, and would sometimes get mail intended for Mayor Richard J. Daley, who lived at 3536 S. Lowe.

Citations

Joe Daley Quorum: Tuesday, August 28, 1979 Chicago Jazz Festival 1979

Profile: Joe Daley, by Larry Birnbaum, Downbeat 02/22/79 online at The Jazz Institute of Chicago:

Obituary, Chicago Tribune, 3/08/94:

Joe Daley. (saxophonist)(Final Bar) (Obituary) (NEED TO FIND THIS) Article from: Down Beat | June 1, 1994 | Corbett, John | Copyright

Internet Archives:


Recordings

The Joe Daley Trio at Newport, ’63, RCA Records

Sonic Blast, Joe Daley and Rich Corpolongo, Coda#2001, 1983

Chicago Shouts Dave Remington's Big Band (Author), et al, Universal Records U-37596

Charlie Parker Memorial Concert, Chicago, 1970, Cadet 2CA-60002 as part of the Kenny Dorham Sextet, North Park Hotel, Chicago, Cadet, released 08/20/70 http://www.shout.net/~jmh/articles/kd-disc.html Joe Daley being featured for fiery contributions on 'Just Friends'.

Jazz Inside Out, Guy Fricano, Forever Jazz Records, 1984

In The Forefront, Bobby Lewis, Joe Daley composer 2 tracks, reissue of 1977 LP, Southport Records, Chicago, August 2000 S-SSD 0079 UPC: 700797007922

S-SSD 0079

UPC: 700797007922

Printed References

The Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz Edited by Leonard Feather, Ira Gitler, Professor of Jazz History Manhattan School of Music, Lorraine Feather, Oxford University Press, 1999: biography, page 163

The Later Swing Era, 1942 to 1955 Lawrence McClellan, Greenwood Press, 2004: article, page 187

Free Jazz and Free Improvisation: An Encyclopedia, Volume 1 Todd S. Jenkins, Greenwood Press, 2004: article page 119

Adventures of an American Composer: An Autobiography Edited by Neal Colgrass, Ulla Colgrass, Meredith Music Publications, 2010: mention, page 43, Joe giving “the glare.”

Noted Students of Joe Daley

John Klemmer (sax): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Klemmer

David Sanborn (sax): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Sanborn

Richard Corpolongo (sax): remembrances of Joe: http://richardcorpolongo.com/rcdaley.html

James Di Pasquale (sax):

Paul Winter (sax): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Winter

Michael Brecker (sax): (only one lesson/consult) http://www.trumpetherald.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=117877&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=20&sid=1c0ee3bbcb2047de7b5f04c1f3da1e58

Mark Feldman (violin) : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Feldman

Dan Hesler (sax) and author of Practicing The Jazz Vocabulary, based on Joe Daley’s teaching style:

Steve Duke (sax):

Joseph Ott (sax) : http://www.julius-keilwerth.com/en/artistes/artiste/joseph-ott

Eric Allison (sax): http://www.jazzconnect.com/ericallison/info.htm http://www.panmiami.org/artists_a.asp

Jeff Newell (sax) : http://www.brooklynmusicschool.org/about/music-department/114?tmpl=component

James Sunseri (sax, clarinet): http://www.jazz.com/encyclopedia/sunseri-james-j

Chuck Wasekanes (sax): http://www.fsjazz.com/personnel/former/wasekanes.htm

Mike Frost (sax):

Nick Bisesi (sax): http://bloomschoolofjazz.com/nick-bisesi/

Rich Fudoli (sax): http://www.post-gazette.com/local/north/2006/08/20/After-lifetime-on-the-road-Butler-musician-Rich-Fudoli-is-back-in-old-neighborhood/stories/200608200149

Scott Mason (bass): http://www.roosevelt.edu/CCPA/MusicConservatory/DegreePrograms/Jazz/Faculty.aspx

Paul Mertens (sax, flute): http://www.roosevelt.edu/CCPA/MusicConservatory/DegreePrograms/Jazz/Faculty.aspx

Bobby Baker (clarinet, flute, sax): http://www.mcmahonjazzmedicine.com/selections/selection0234.html

Marlene Rosenberg (bass): http://marlenemusic.com/education/

Ike Levin (sax): http://www.charleslestermusic.com/musician/il.htm

Greg Fishman (sax): http://www.gregfishman.com/about.html

Herman Reyes (sax, flute): http://www.bellaangelmusic.com/herman-reyes.html

Diane Delin (violin): http://articles.southbendtribune.com/2008-08-08/news/26887663_1_jazz-clifford-brown-and-freddie-trumpet-players

Jim Gailloreto (sax): http://www.roosevelt.edu/CCPA/MusicConservatory/DegreePrograms/Jazz/Faculty.aspx

Frank Portolese (bass):

Kent Minor (sax):

Tony Grasso (trumpet): http://manghiskhan.com/band.htm

Wo Romanowski (sax): http://www.thebusinesslive.com/bandbios2.html

Michael Kocour (piano): http://www.michaelkocour.com/

Jun (sax): http://powerplayfyi.com/jun

Vince Salerno (sax): http://www.playersbenchmusic.com/musiclessons_Main.html

Russ Nolan (sax): http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/12/prweb11430659.htm

Athanasios Zervas (sax): http://zervasmusic.com/bio.html

Abshalom Ben Shlomo (sax):

Jack Grassel (guitar): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Grassel

Bob Kolb (sax, clarinet): http://bobkolbjazz.com/teaching

Jim Peterson (trumpet): http://www.davidjenningsmusic.com/bios_jim.htm

Chris Moravek (sax, guitar): http://chrismoravek.vpweb.com/

Alfonso Pontecelli (guitar): http://archive.guitarsessions.com/jan05/interview.html

Chuck Burdelik (sax): http://www.dramonline.org/performers/burdelik-chuck

Terry Connell (trumpet, flugelhorn):

Ray Herrmann (sax): http://rayherrmann.com/page2.html

Ron Friedman (flugelhorn and trumpet): http://secretjazz.com/ron.htm

Ed Kennedy (trumpet): http://www.linkedin.com/pub/ed-kennedy/45/405/769

Jeff Stitely (percussion):


Semi-Regular Players and Bands with Joe Daley

Bill Harrison (bass) http://playjazznow.blogspot.com/2011/05/12-keys-joe-daley-and-practicing-jazz.html

Paul Wertico (percussion):

Bobby Lewis (trumpet): http://www.jazzchicago.net/interviews/bobbylewis.html

Kelly Sill (bass): http://www.kellysill.com/home

John Campbell (piano):

Joel Spencer (percussion):

The band Ears, co-led by Cy Touff (trumpet) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cy_Touff and trumpeter Bobby Lewis, included a rotating cast drawn from the finest of the town’s jazz players that typically numbered around eight. John Campbell, George Bean, Don Shelton, Joe Daley and a couple of guys from the Chicago Symphony were regulars. Drummer Jerry Coleman’s band Nine Burner included Joe Daley and Ron Kolber, the baritone and alto player.

Drummer Greg Cirgo led the band Ellington Dynasty, a fine small band dedicated to Duke’s small group writing. It included Joe Daley Ron Kolber.

Tenor saxophonist Sandy Mosse’s band Pieces of Eight http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandy_Mosse

Charlie Parker Memorial Concert, an LP two-record set on Cadet Records was recorded August 1970 at Chicago's North Park Hotel. Joe Daley played tenor in a group that included Kenny Dorham, Ray Nance on trumpet and violin, Richard Abrams, Rufus Reid and Wilbur Campbell.

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