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...
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 162 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): TEES TO TYNE: FIRST IMPRESSIONS - SUMMER 2001
Where traditions are not so rare; Sea, country and works scent the air; A multitude of monuments, Planted tubs and patterned pavements.
The longish pedestrian malls; The remnants of defensive walls; Historic buildings are a gauge Of the respect for heritage.
Wheat, rape and pines in the fields; Estuaries guarded by shields; Long sandy beaches and wide scenes; Romantic-ruin go-betweens.
Rivers in parts licked by trees, Or fringed by boat clubs, wharfs, gantries, And crossed by practical delights - Varied spans, forming pleasing sights.
Fine churches headed at Durham; Football kits ad infinitum; Kept castles - one for study; Masonry behind masonry.
And, with moulding-works out that way, It’s somewhere for a longer stay..?
Veja Entrevista que dei para o Programa “Repertório Independente”, onde eu falo de minha carreira, minha história e apesar de estar bastante gripado, ainda canto algumas canções.
Para ver este e vários outros vídeos meus no youtube, entre no link abaixo:
I'm proud to give you "Heavy In The Beats Vol. 1 - A Different Drum", the first installment in my FREE mixtape series dedicated to drums and percussion. "Volume 1" focuses on the avant garde side of the instrument, and features pieces from Billy Martin (of Medeski Martin & Wood), myself, and others!
(you have to copy and paste the link on myspace for some reason)
Love your spirit Joe!! Thanks for accepting my add request. I look forward to learning more about making a difference to local kids in a 'musical' kind of way. Namaste'
Thanks again for adding me, Joe. Every one of your songs sounds like something I'd hear in a movie soundtrack. I hope you'll visit my page to check out "Killing Time in Tokyonesia" and some of my other songs. I'm hoping to release my first CD later this year. Keep up the good work and take care always.
Hey Joe...Just getting around to it but I just wanted to say GREAT job at High Sierra this year. You never fail to inspire and impress. Thank you for sharing your gifts with the world. Much love and respect, Snap Jackson
"Ticklin' The Strings" by Sweet Hollywaiians
Amazing Japanese hot string band playing 1920's, 30's, 40's style hawaiian, swing, calypso, blues, italian music and originals,featuring vintage instruments.3 songs with Robert Armstrong and Tony Marcus(from Robert Crumb and His Cheap Suit Serenaders)
"The Sweet Hollywaiians have probably the best feel for this 20's music of any string band working today. They manage the rare feat of sounding relaxed even when their playing is hot, are top notch musicians with tasteful arrangements and a full, rich, warm sound.Plus, they have a nice gamut of tunes, from King Nawahi to Giovanni Vicari to Bobby Leecan. See them live, if you can, for an unforgettable experience. If you can't, buy their Cds!" ~ Terry Zwigoff
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 2 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): WALKABOUT WITH MY PEN
Once drove an old sedan, up north, From a place in Sydney to Cairns; Then to Kuranda I went forth, By train, to look without set plans.
I browsed through the trendy market, With fresh fruits of tropical kind; Walked to the creek through lush thicket - Nature’s hand giving peace of mind.
I dined in a scenic cafe; Then, outside, as I wrote for yen, Some passing Kooris called-out: “Hey, You go walkabout with your pen.”
Request or question, I don’t know - Assured voices, elderly men. That’s now several years ago, And I’ve seen the world - with my pen.
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