With a Philadelphia funk and soul background, Philly Joe plays jazz, standards, and rhythm & blues with a working guitarist’s ear — the line, the pocket, and the singer.

He studied with Pat Martino, Joe Sgro, Joe Federico, Denis Sandole, and Tony DeCaprio. That training shows up as fast ears, clean time, and charts when a room needs them.

In the Coachella Valley he works as a jazz soloist, in duos with saxophone, keyboards, or voice, and as guitarist and music director in larger groups — including time with Keisha D and the Hearts of Soul.

Rooms have included The Nest, Arnold Palmer’s, Jackalope Ranch, the Purple Room, Vicky’s of Santa Fe, Melvyn’s, First Thursdays in La Quinta, The River in Rancho Mirage, the Gardens at El Paseo, McCallum Theatre, Desert Jam, and private events.

He reads and writes, records cleanly, and learns a book fast. Solo, duo, or ensemble.