Joe LaBarbera
Joseph James LaBarbera (born February 22, 1948) is an American jazz drummer and composer. He is best known for his recordings and live performances with the trio of pianist Bill Evans in the final years of Evans's career. His older brothers are saxophonist Pat LaBarbera and trumpeter John LaBarbera. Career. He grew up in Mount Morris, New York. His first drum teacher was his father. For two years in the late 1960s he attended Berklee College of Music, then went on tour with singer Frankie Randall. After Berklee he spent two years with the US Army band  at Fort Dix, New Jersey. He began his professional career playing with Woody Herman and the Thundering Herd. His reputation grew in the 1970s when he spent four years recording and touring with Chuck Mangione. He also worked as a sideman for Bob Brookmeyer, Jim Hall, Art Farmer, Art Pepper, John Scofield, Toots Thielemans, and Phil Woods. In 1979 he was a member of the Bill Evans trio, then spent much of the 1980s and early 1990s with Tony Bennett. He was in a quartet with his brother Pat and in a trio with Hein van de Geyn and John  Abercrombie. He has taught at the California Institute of the Arts and the Bud Shank Jazz Workshop. Discography. As sideman. With Tony Bennett With Rosemary Clooney With Bill Cunliffe With Bill Evans With John LaBarbera With Pat LaBarbera With Chuck Mangione With Bud Shank With Kim Richmond With Terry Trotter and Trotter Trio With others