Joe Craven: Solo Performances and Education Outreach Programs.
Other Projects:
Joe Craven Duo: w/ Sam Bevan
Joe Craven Trio: John R. Burr, Kendrick Freeman.
Joe Craven Quartet: John R. Burr, Kendrick Freeman, Tom Peron.
Joe Craven Quintet: The above quartet w/ Sam Bevan.
Collaborations: Alison Brown Quartet, Rob Ickes, Bobby Lee Rodgers, Everyone Orchestra.
Influences
Rauchenberg, pruning, J. Hendrix, F. Zappa, Sir Ken Robinson, T. Moore, Vita-Mix, A. Statman, Monk, Django, John Dewey, camping, The Baja Marimba Band, D. Anger, Hermeto, Hattie, The Horse Flies, Improvisation, Alan Sherman, fishing, Anthony Carrillo, D. Grisman, S. Grappelli, yard sales, Vassar, beachcombing, canjoes, R.L. Burnside, Orestes Vilato, the venacular, Los Pleneros De Veinte Uno, John Henry, rust, Kirk, Chamberlins, land fills, Lightnin' Hopkins, Utah Phillips, Buddha, TED, The Art Ensemble of Chicago, P. Gabriel, any language sung that I don't speak, anything without frets, J.P. Witkin, T. Waits, J. Gonzales, beat boxing, R. Cooder, dumpster diving, Ionesco, Evelyne Glennie, E. Palmieri, plena, Old time, D. Lindley, garlic, chile, Arsenio Rodriguez, walking, field recordings, pie, the circus and process.
Joe Craven is a madman with anything that has strings attached; violin, mandolin, tin can, bedpan, cookie tin, tenor guitar, mouth bow, banjo, berimbau, balalaika, boot ‘n lace plus a world of percussion instruments including animal bones, squeeze toys, cake pans, waste cans, umbrella stands, martini shakers and; Himself. Educator, former museum curator, visual artist, actor/storyteller, festival emcee and former 17-year vet for mandolinist David Grisman, Joe has recorded and played with folks ranging from jazz violinist Stephane Grappelli to Grateful Dead Guitarist Jerry Garcia to The Persuasions.
More a re-composer and recycler of music as object and idea, Joe believes in stretching the boundaries of musical style while paying tribute to and helping forward evolving musical traditions. His own wildly varied recordings are testimonies to this folk music philosophy.
Don't throw it away - redefine it as a musical tool - teach it to a child - leave it as a gift."
JOE EDUCATOR
Joe is not just an entertaining musician with a penchant for the mischievous, he is a teacher and a student all at once, and will draw you into his performance by including you as though you're part of the show itself. Joe is always looking for the next expression or breath or object to make music with. His gift for gab is unprecedented and his musical knowledge impressive. And Craven's openness and expression of gratitude for the gifts he's been given make it all the more fun for him to share it with his audience. No matter whom he's connecting with; a community workshop in Costa Rica, a university lecture demonstration in California, or on stage in front of thousands of school kids in Scotland, he's at home and loving every minute...
You've got some great music and a great page here! Thanks for your friendship, and welcome aboard the Redline ship. Looking forward to sharing the journey ahead with you. Take Care, and thanks again. Peace,
Uncle Joe! I've got all my friends hook on your shit your style is overstimulating... Were going to come crash your Live Oak festival in June, let me know when we'll be busting flows and we'll be there. Ol' Dan Tucker is my new defualt song... We's a little CRAAZY,, Your gonna like this guy!!
Hi guy! Sorry I missed you up in Georgetown yesterday. Intended to come up, but yesterday morning got sucker punched in the gut by some kind of flu/virus/fiendish thingy that I expect will continue for the next couple of days based on how I'm feeling (I sincerely hope that there is no involvement by pigs . . .) I'm sure it went well and was enjoyed by all. The Smithosnian Folkways connection is rolling along sweetly, on which I'll fill you in when I can write more. Miss ya buddy!
Hey Joe, how you doing? Would you like to contribute your fantastic version of "artillerie lourde" for the compilation i am doing called "django's spirit"?? I'd be delighted, let me know!! swing on, susie (reinhardt)
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