BIOGRAPHY
Steinway Artist Joe Augustine
Steinway Artist since 1994
University of Akron School of Music, Full time Faculty, Jazz Studies Program, Artist in Residence 2005 - present
Lake Erie College, Artist in Residence 2009 - present
Joe Augustine's serious study of the piano began at age 15. He played professionally six nights a week while earning a degree from Youngstown State University . Classical training with Dolores Fitzer and extensive jazz and compositional training with Gene Rush coupled with study in New York with masters in the jazz field distinguishes Augustine's work from other players.
Classically trained, Augustine has been performing and teaching Jazz piano nationally and abroad for 40 plus years. He is a master at creating meticulous, distinctive arrangements so that his listeners hear the music in exciting new ways. Augustine draws on his own experience as pianist, composer and arranger to create just the right blend of melody, harmony and rhythm. Whether playing classic standards or his own compositions, his inventive musical style has been described as accessible and engaging, lyrical and dynamic. He has produced 37 CD’s including 15 recordings for QRS Pianomation and another 5 recordings for PianoDisc. He is always writing new music for another CD.
Augustine’s performance credits include concerts, symphony performances, jazz clubs, benefits, receptions, openings and Steinway sponsored concerts and promotional events with his trio or solo.
Augustine also lectures extensively at colleges and universities on subjects such as “Music as a Business and Anixiety and Performance.” This seminar is designed to help students with marketing themselves and their music skills. On many campuses, he often conducts Master Classes as well. These programs have been given rave reviews by college faculty and students nationwide.
“After 35 years of playing, I’ve come to realize that it is what is not played, as much as what is played, that makes music magic, exciting and memorable.” -Joe Augustine
During his career, Augustine has received numerous honors, including selection to the roster of Steinway artists in 1995-a life-long honor. He has appeared in a variety of musical settings from jazz clubs to symphony halls and is featured as guest artist with the Youngstown Symphony for their first commercial recording…. Home for the Holidays.
CD titles include:
Reminisce, Moondance, Swing Then and Now, Alone, Touching You, Chapter and Verse, Christmas Is, Sentimental Journey, Swingin’ on a Star, Synergy, License to Groove, Cool Today Jazz Tonight, Jazzscapes, Solo Elegance, Movin’ On In the City, Home for the Holidays with the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra and Remembering You ( Produced for The University of Akron’s “All Steinway Campaign “ including an accompaniying music book of the Compositions and arrangements )
Recordings also performed and produced for PianoDisc include:
License to Groove, Cool Yule, Jazzscapes, Cool Today and Jazz Tonight
Recordings also produced on QRS Pianomation include:
Touching You, Swing Then and Now, Moondance, Christmas Is,
A Christmas Love Song, What the World Needs Now,
Chapter and Verse, United We Stand, Remembering Nat Cole,
Three @ 100, Thanks for the Memories Volumes 1 and 2,
After Dark Volumes 1 and 2, A Piano Roll Recording of Amazing Grace and America the Beautiful and Reminisce.