Joe Knipes

Born in Albany NY, surrounded by the sounds of classical music, folk, classic rock and heavy metal, Joe Knipes came to jazz in his early teens. Hearing the commanding call of Charlie Christian and Wes Montgomery, and drawn by the majesty of Woody Shaw, Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard and Herbie Hancock, Knipes became a lifelong student of jazz.

A graduate of William Paterson University, Joe Knipes has been performing in the metropolitan area for over 20 years. Joe has performed both as a leader and sideman in various settings including a 2-guitar quartet co-led by fellow guitarist David Hessel. Knipes also joined the popular Blues Jumpers for a tour of Canada and upstate New York where the band thrilled audiences with its unique blend of early R&B and jump blues. Joe has studied with New Jersey guitar guru Vic Juris, as well as artists like Howard Alden, Ed Cherry and David Gilmore. His influences include jazz guitar masters Wes Montgomery, Joe Pass, Jim Hall, and Grant Green. These days Joe can be found performing in a guitar duo with Hessel, and with his own trio and quartet around town.

In 2015, Joe Knipes founded the annual Jackson Heights Jazz Festival. Taking place over two weekends each summer, the festival serves to highlight the wealth of jazz musicians living in Jackson Heights and the surrounding neighborhoods. To date, the Jackson Heights Jazz Festival has featured Thana Alexa Project, Shu Odumura Duo, Javier Arau, and Daisuke Abe & UoU.