Down Beat’s Critics and Readers Poll selected him as the top jazz organist every year since 2003.
DeFrancesco was born in Springfield, Pennsylvania. His grandfather was multi-instrumentalist Joe DeFrancesco, of Italian descent; his father is Hammond B3 player “Papa” John DeFrancesco, who took his son to jazz clubs from the age of seven. Joey DeFrancesco started playing the piano at the age of four, switching to the B3 shortly after. At 16 he signed an exclusive recording contract with Columbia Records, releasing his first record “All Of Me” at 17. This record was single handedly responsible for the great resurgence of the Hammond sound in popular music. Also in his 17th year he was called on by the great Miles Davis to join his band, and toured all over Europe. It was at that time that Joey, inspired by Miles’s sound, picked up the trumpet & started playing. To this day, Joey continues to play the trumpet, very similar to the style of Miles. At 18, Joey began touring with his own quartet. At 22, John McLaughlin called him along with drummer Dennis Chambers, to form the group the “Free Spirits”. This band toured extensively for 4 years. Joey has been around the world and back dozens of times with his own trio, but also playing and recording with some of the greatest musicians in the world such as, Ray Charles, Bette Midler, David Sanborn, Arturo Sandoval, Frank Wess, Benny Golson, James Moody, Steve Gadd, Elvin Jones, Jimmy Cobb, George Benson, John Scofield, Joe Lovano, and many more. He has won the Down Beat Critics and Readers poll ever year since 2002, as well as Jazz Journalist award, and countless others. In 2004 Joey was nominated for a Grammy for his record “Falling In Love Again”, and again in 2010 for his release titled “Never Can Say Goodbye”. Currently, Joey continues to tour with his own group, and tours with David Sanborn. Joey has played a key role in the development of his signature model organ, called Numa, by Studiologic.
PHAROAH SANDERS QUARTET feat. JOEY DeFRANCESCO on November 4, 2013 20.30 at ‘Pallas’ Concert Hall Voukourestiou 5 Athens – Tickets: 20€, 25€, 30€, 35€, 40€, 45€, 50€ – The legendary saxophonist and Coltrane collaborator, Pharoah Sanders meets top organist, Joey Defrancesco – Pharoah Sanders , sax — Joey Defrancesco, Organ – Steve Cotter, guitar — Ramon Banda, drums —
