Joe Derise

American jazz singer, pianist and guitarist. Born : December 02, 1926 in New York City, New York Died : June 24, 2002 in Shelton, Connecticut. Joe worked with Tommy Dorsey, Marcia Hillman, Milt Hinton, "The Australian Jazz Quartet", Claude Thornhill. He was led his own group : "Four Jacks and a Jill". From the liner notes to "Joe Derise Sings" on Bethlehem Record BCP 1039: Joe was born in Ansonia, Conn., which he left for the U.S. Navy in 1943. He came to New York after the Navy and has been there ever since. Traditionally enough, his father wanted him to be a doctor, but Joe had other ideas and learned to play the guitar. Playing his guitar and singing, he got a week's engagement at a small downtown club by winning an amateur show soon after he came to town. The one week became 16 weeks, and it was there that Joe began his association with Davey Lambert and the Mellotones. He subsequently worked with Claude Thornhill, acting as arranger for the Snowflakes, road manager, singer and guitar player. He was next heard with his own group, Four Jacks and a Jill. Not satisfied merely to sing, play, arrange and manage, Joe has been busily writing original music. He has a suite and a piano sonata "home in the drawer," and says if he had to pick his favorite musical activity, it would be writing. Joe's favorite piece of music is Beethoven's Eroica, and he enjoys Hindemith and Debussy. He thinks Frank is the best popular singer around.