BIOGRAPHY
Joe Porcaro, born Joseph Porcaro on April 29, 1930 in Hartford, Connecticut, is an American jazz drummer, percussionist and educator. He is the father of the late Jeff Porcaro and Mike Porcaro.
Porcaro has recorded with Natalie Cole, Don Ellis, Pink Floyd, Stan Getz, Freddie Hubbard, Gladys Knight, Madonna, The Monkees, Gerry Mulligan, Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughn, and Toto. He has also done film score work, including with James Newton Howard, John Williams, Jerry Goldsmith, James Horner, Danny Elfman, John Frizzell and his son, Steve Porcaro.
Joe is the author of two drum books — Joe Porcaro's Drumset Method - Groovin' with Rudiments: Patterns Applied to Rock, Jazz & Latin Drumset and Odd Times - Patterns For Rock Jazz & Latin At The Drumset (book/CD), and the instructional video Joe Porcaro on Drums.
One of the most highly regarded drum and percussion teachers in the world,.Joe served as the co-director of drum studies at the Los Angeles College of Music in Pasadena, California.
On July 6, 2020, Joe Porcaro died peacefully in his sleep at his home in California; he was 90 years old.
