Biography

Being a conduit for emotion and awareness through the bass, Joe Sanders does the utmost to constantly and creatively be in the moment with every note he plays. As a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin he developed an appetite for various musical styles throughout his adolescence, from hearing blues on the radio to exalted voices in the Baptist Church.

Since departing the Midwest for California in 2002 to attend the Brubeck Institute, Joe has been fortunate to perform and learn alongside such luminaries as Dave Brubeck, Christian McBride, Terence Blanchard, Ron Carter, Roy Hargrove, John Clayton, Jimmy Heath, Charlie Haden, Herbie Hancock, Charles Lloyd, Wayne Shorter, and Geri Allen.

Upon the completion of the Thelonious Monk institute in 2007, Sanders relocated to New York City where he eventually emerged as an intrinsic part of the thriving NYC jazz scene. Joe expanded his relationships started through various jazz education programs with visionaries such as Gerald Clayton, Justin Brown, Christian Scott, Ambrose Akinmusire, and Walter Smith III, all the while forging new, impactful, and meaningful kinships. These collaborations with members of his generation and the influence of his elders pushed Sanders into a newfound way of conceptualizing the bass, music, and life.

2012 was a culmination of new and old associations with the release of his premiere album as a leader on the acclaimed Criss-Cross Jazz label, 'Introducing Joe Sanders. This year also included a Jerome Foundation/Jazz Gallery commissioned piece written for four basses, piano, saxophone, and drums. But the never-ending pursuit for knowledge never stopped as Joe sought new avenues and adventures to further enhance his pursuit of enlightenment and "the moment." One year later, Sanders found himself on stage with a person who embodies similar values, Charles Lloyd. Alongside Lloyd, Sanders expanded his knowledge of the history of jazz from one who lived it, and furthered his passion to explore the infinite possibilities of the unknown.

Continuing the journey in 2017 Sanders performed and toured regularly with his ensemble, “Joe Sanders’ Infinity”, and as a sideman with Kendrick Scott Oracle, the Gerald Clayton Trio, and the Ben Wendel Quartet. In September 2017, Joe released his second album as a leader, 'Humanity', as a commentary to the constant violence affecting our daily lives, and to remind us to treat each other with compassion and love as human beings.

Like most musicians of the world, the 2019 COVID pandemic changed the way Joe approached life in music and the affect that it has on daily life. With only access to the bass and a computer; another journey started in the his musical exploration. Albeit there were lots of opportunities playing as a leader or a sideman previously, those were no longer an option; so he began down a road to become more educated about composition, producing music with programs, writing for film and later, learning the basics of the piano and the drums. These new skills allowed Joe to widen the parameters of what it means to make music entirely.

In September 2024 he will release an album that reflects that time locked down and the practice of those new capabilities; entitled PARALLELS; a look at both sides of life while at home and on the road. It features live performances of four new compositions, four songs produced at his home studio featuring him on all instruments with special guests and two re-imagined arrangements.

Joe currently lives in the south of France with his beautiful wife, raising two sons; while also maintaining a hectic schedule of performing all over the world, giving master classes or teaching private lessons.