Fresh from Los Angeles, where the first few songs of his latest project were recorded, Joe Taylor is pumped. “What a blast it was! I had help from Hillary Bernstein (Sony Music) and Kevin Fisher (The Rascal Flatts and Sarah Evans) to write these songs. Producer and Grammy-Winning engineer Matty Spindel (Santana,Tom Petty, Fleetwood Mac, Don Henley, Motley Crue, Rick Springfield, Scorpions, KISS) and Producer / Musician Jeff Gross (MTV, CNN, Bob Saget, Rick Springfield, Gary Wright, Poolhall Junkies) was able to bring in Drummer Matt Laug (Alanis Morissette, Christina Aguilera, Melissa Etheridge), Bass player Lance Morrison (Don Henley and Alanis Morissette) and Guitarist George Nastos (Guitar Hero) to record them.

Joe cut his teeth in the business singing and writing for the James Band in Toronto, Canada in the late 90’s. By 2000, Joe teamed up with Jeff Ross to form Taylor Ross, and saw five songs from Heartfelt Graffiti go into rotation regionally in Canada and the US.

Rockin’ out at The Vox after a long day at Toybox Studios in Toronto, Paul Shubot and Alfie Di Pucchio discovered Joe’s unique sound. Described by listeners as “soulful and timeless”; “classic rock at its’ finest” - Joe’s “electrifying and powerful voice” inspired Alfie and Paul to head to the studio. They insisted on capturing Joe’s rock-solid sound that very night. The ensuing recording launched Joe’s career as a solo artist. A live showcase recorded at Cogeco Channel 3 in music-hip Kingston soon followed; broadcast all over Ontario.

The fall of 2000 marked Joe’s arrival in the Big Apple. A debut solo gig at CBGB’s 313 Gallery was swiftly followed by one at The Knitting Factory’s Tap Room. Joe continues to play NYC venues including The Bitter End, Kenny’s Castaway, The Red Lion, C-Note, and The Back Fence.

Los Angeles producer Jeff Gross and engineer Matty Spindel first met with Joe in December of 2006 to work on a demo CD for their label, Red Road Music. It’s now 2 years later and the project is now spreading wings. With the help of Bernstein (Sony Music) the songs are currently being pitched to movie and television networks.

Joe continues to perform throughout the United States at several colleges and universities, festivals, and night clubs. He has expanded into such major cities as Chicago, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Boston, Houston, and Philadelphia. You can hear Joe’s radio interviews broadcasted on local and regional radio stations as well as on the Internet. Listeners have said Joe’s sound penetrates deep within the heart – “an electrifying and powerful voice which reminds us of classic rock at its finest”, “a mix of Rod Stewart, Don Henley, and Steve Perry for 2008”, “soulful and timeless.”

Where did it all begin?  Well, I was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia.  My family moved to Toronto so I grew up there.  School went by quickly (couldn't have come soon enough, though!) After high school I enrolled at Humber College where I studied Vocal Jazz and minored in Tim Horton's Coffee.  Gotta have my Tim's!  While at college I was in a few bands singing, playing bass and acoustic guitar.  After I graduated, my days and nights were pretty full - I sold furniture at the Hudson Bay Company (otherwise known as The Bay) and did as much performing and recording as I could. You see, music was my life.  Well, it is my life.  It's a way I can express myself.  It's the way I see the world.  It's the way I feel.  And I'm sure that music is a part of your life - whether it plays a big role or a small one.  Music is something to be shared.  So, about ten years ago I decided to quit my job and moved to New York!  Since then I haven't looked back. Music is all I do.

I am currently working with Red Road Music in Los Angeles and am lucky to work with producer Jeff Gross and Grammy-winning engineer Matty Spindel (Santana, Don Henley, Fleetwood Mac, Bruce Hornsby, Tom Petty, Kiss, Rick Springfield and the Scorpians, just to name a few.)

I haven't made it yet, but I am giving it one hell of a try. Only the future can really say what will happen.  Hey, if Tim Horton's can come to New York, I can certainly share my music "all around the world"!

From left to right:
Matt Laug (drummer), Jeff Gross (producer and engineer), Joe Taylor (sitting in front - lead vocals and acoustic guitar), Lance Morrison (bass), Bart, Hillary Bernstein (co-writer)

Not pictured:
Matty Spindel (producer and engineer), George Nastos (electric guitar)