Biography

Raised in Hampshire, England, Joe picked up a drumstick at the age of five, beginning what would become a lifelong passion for music and percussion. Music was a major part of his family life, and influences from the 1970s onwards helped shape his love of drumming. After seven years of self-tuition, Joe began formal drum lessons at the age of twelve, going on to achieve Grade 8 Drums with Distinction at the age of seventeen. He continued his musical education by achieving an A grade in A Level Music before studying at the Academy of Contemporary Music (ACM) in Guildford, where he graduated in 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts – First Class Honours in Music Industry Practice, specialising in Drums and Percussion.

Whilst at ACM, Joe studied under some of the industry’s leading professional musicians, including Darren Beckett (Brandon Flowers – The Killers), Toby Drummond (Cliff Richard, Ray Davies) and Windsor McGilvrey (Hugh Cornwall). Known for his versatile approach to drumming, Joe cites Neil Peart, Phil Collins, Stewart Copeland, Jeff Porcaro, Taylor Hawkins and Roger Taylor as just a handful of his many musical influences.

Throughout his professional career, Joe has had the opportunity to work alongside and learn from a number of highly respected musicians within the industry. One particularly important musical relationship has been with Ralph Rolle, drummer for Nile Rodgers & CHIC, whom Joe first met after attending one of Ralph’s one-to-one drum lessons in the U.K. The pair quickly formed a strong connection and have since become close friends. Speaking about Joe’s development, Ralph said: “Joe was already a really good drummer — I was just adding some seasoning! Joe is now a professional working drummer all the time. If you need somebody good, dedicated and who’s going to make sure the work is done and done right, I highly recommend and endorse him.”

Joe is now a full-time professional musician, drummer and educator, based in Portsmouth and working extensively throughout the U.K. and Europe. He performs at around 80 professional shows each year, with his busy schedule regularly taking him to theatres, concert venues and festivals alongside a thriving teaching career.

Alongside his own private teaching practice, which has continued to grow significantly, Joe is a tutor and lecturer with AL’S Drum School. He is now the main teacher responsible for the Hampshire schools and also teaches at Gillingham School, working with students of all ages and abilities. Joe is extremely passionate about helping young musicians develop their confidence, ability and love for music, while continuing to balance his teaching work with an increasingly busy professional performing career.

Joe’s regular live work is predominantly across the touring tribute and theatre circuit. He is currently best known as the drummer for Like Combs U.K. and regularly performs with some of the U.K.’s leading touring tribute productions, including Sky Full of Stars – A Tribute to Coldplay, Logical Tramp and The Johnny Cash Roadshow, alongside a variety of other professional bands and live projects.

Joe’s versatility, extensive musical repertoire and ability to quickly learn and sight-read material have made him a highly dependable musician. As a result, he is regularly called upon to deputise for performances and events, often at short notice, and is trusted to step into a wide variety of musical situations.

Since beginning his professional career, Joe has performed at some of the U.K.’s major theatres, sold-out concert venues and festivals, as well as undertaking performances elsewhere in Europe. His work has taken him to venues including Portsmouth Guildhall, O2 Guildhall Southampton, Theatre Royal Plymouth, Hall for Cornwall, Salisbury City Hall and G Live Guildford. Joe has performed to audiences of up to 2,000 people indoors, as well as festival crowds of more than 10,000 people, including an appearance at the Undercover Festival in Poland with Maroon Live.

Alongside his performing and teaching work, Joe continues to develop his career as a freelance musician and Musical Director. He regularly creates and releases drum performance content across YouTube, Instagram and other social media platforms, covering a wide variety of artists, musical styles and genres.

Joe has also organised and directed numerous musical collaborations and live performances, taking responsibility for selecting musicians, arranging setlists and charts, and overseeing the musical direction of events. One of his proudest experiences in this role has been acting as Musical Director and drummer for The Jazz Pops at their New Year’s Eve events in Bournemouth, where Joe hand-picked his band from musicians he had previously worked with and helped bring together every aspect of the live performance.

Now firmly established as a full-time professional musician, Joe continues to balance a busy career across touring, theatre performances, festivals, teaching and Musical Direction. With an ever-growing schedule of performances and projects, he continues to take on new opportunities and challenges while building an increasingly diverse and successful career within the music industry.