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{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Musicians --> | name = Kirk Joseph | image = KirkJosphSousaphoneJazzfest2008.jpg | caption = Kirk Joseph at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, 2008 | background = non_vocal_instrumentalist | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1961|02|16}} | birth_place = New Orleans | instrument = Sousaphone | genre = Rhythm and blues, Jazz, Funk | occupation = Musician | years_active = 1977–present | associated_acts = Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Forgotten Souls Brass Band, Treme Brass Band, Backyard Groove }}
'''Kirk Joseph''' (born February 16, 1961) is an American sousaphone and tuba player, recognized as a pioneer in expanding the role of the sousaphone in contemporary brass band, jazz, funk, and rhythm and blues music.<ref name="Sakakeeny">{{Cite book |last=Sakakeeny |first=Matt |title=Roll With It: Brass Bands in the Streets of New Orleans |publisher=Duke University Press |year=2013 |isbn=978-0-8223-5444-2}}</ref> He is a founding member of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band and leader of his own ensemble, Kirk Joseph’s Backyard Groove.
== Early life and career == Joseph was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, the son of trombonist Waldren "Frog" Joseph.<ref name="64parishes">{{Cite web |last=King |first=Ed |title=Kirk Joseph |url=https://64parishes.org/entry/kirk-joseph |website=64 Parishes |publisher=Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities |date=2010 |access-date=2025-07-31}}</ref> He began playing the sousaphone while attending Andrew Bell Middle School. At age 13, he performed his first professional job in a funeral procession with the Majestic Band, alongside his brother Charles Joseph.<ref name="64parishes" />
In 1977, Joseph co-founded the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, credited with revitalizing New Orleans brass traditions by incorporating funk, bebop, R&B, and jazz.<ref name="Sakakeeny" /> His innovative playing helped redefine the sousaphone from a supporting bass instrument to a melodic and improvisational voice within modern brass music.<ref name="JazzTimes">{{Cite web |last=Yanow |first=Scott |title=Dirty Dozen Brass Band |url=https://jazztimes.com/artists/dirty-dozen-brass-band/ |website=JazzTimes |date=22 August 2007 |access-date=2025-07-31}}</ref>
Throughout his career, Joseph has collaborated with numerous artists including Aaron Neville, Dr. John, Elvis Costello, R.E.M., Wynton Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, Taj Mahal, The Manhattan Transfer, Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks, Los Lobos, Huey Lewis and the News, Dave Matthews, B.B. King, and Fats Domino.<ref name="64parishes" />
== Musical style == Joseph is widely regarded as a major innovator on the sousaphone.<ref name="Sakakeeny" /> While earlier players such as Anthony "Tuba Fats" Lacen influenced him, Joseph developed a style that integrated strong rhythmic lines with melodic improvisation. His approach elevated the sousaphone from its traditional marching band role into a central instrument across genres, from funk to modern jazz.<ref name="64parishes" />
== Other contributions == Joseph leads the group '''Kirk Joseph’s Backyard Groove''', which blends jazz, funk, Afro-Caribbean rhythms, and R&B.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kirk Joseph's Backyard Groove |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/kirk-josephs-backyard-groove-mn0000364426 |website=AllMusic |access-date=2025-07-31}}</ref> The ensemble has featured Kevin O’Day (drums), Chris Mule and Hiro Mano (guitars), Rasheed "Sheik" Akbar and Eric Traub (saxophones), Raymond Anthony Williams (trumpet), and special guests including Dr. John.
He has appeared on television programs such as ''The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson'', ''Late Show with David Letterman'', and the sitcom ''Gimme a Break!''. He also appeared as himself in the HBO series ''Treme''.<ref name="64parishes" />
Joseph has conducted educational workshops and master classes internationally, including in France, New Orleans, and Maryland.<ref name="64parishes" />
== Recognition from peers == Joseph’s work has drawn high praise from fellow musicians. In a 1989 conversation in ''Option'' magazine, Elvis Costello described him as “such an obvious star” and “a one-in-a-million player,” noting his fluency on an instrument rarely associated with melodic brilliance. Tom Waits added that playing the sousaphone is like “dancing with a fat lady,” underscoring the finesse and artistry Joseph brings to the instrument.<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Elvis Costello and Tom Waits in Conversation |magazine=Option |issue=27 |date=1989}}</ref>
== Discography ==
=== Selected albums and collaborations === * ''Spike'' – Elvis Costello (1989)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Spike – Elvis Costello |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/spike-mw0000198107 |website=AllMusic |access-date=2025-07-31}}</ref> * ''Yellow Moon'' – The Neville Brothers (1989)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Yellow Moon – The Neville Brothers |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/yellow-moon-mw0000201102 |website=AllMusic |access-date=2025-07-31}}</ref> * ''Twenty Dozen'' – Dirty Dozen Brass Band (2012)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Twenty Dozen – Dirty Dozen Brass Band |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/twenty-dozen-mw0002161425 |website=AllMusic |access-date=2025-07-31}}</ref> * ''Collapse Into Now'' – R.E.M. (2010)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Collapse Into Now – R.E.M. |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/collapse-into-now-mw0002081424 |website=AllMusic |access-date=2025-07-31}}</ref> * ''GoGo Juice'' – Jon Cleary (2014, Grammy-winning album)<ref>{{Cite web |title=GoGo Juice – Jon Cleary |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/gogo-juice-mw0002878624 |website=AllMusic |access-date=2025-07-31}}</ref> * ''Porcupine Meat'' – Bobby Rush (2016, Grammy-winning album)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Porcupine Meat – Bobby Rush |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/porcupine-meat-mw0002964082 |website=AllMusic |access-date=2025-07-31}}</ref> * ''Ske-Dat-De-Dat: The Spirit of Satch'' – Dr. John (2014)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ske-Dat-De-Dat: The Spirit of Satch – Dr. John |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/ske-dat-de-dat-the-spirit-of-satch-mw0002692676 |website=AllMusic |access-date=2025-07-31}}</ref>
== Filmography ==
=== Television appearances === * ''The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson'' (two appearances)<ref name="64parishes" /> * ''Late Show with David Letterman''<ref name="64parishes" /> * ''Gimme a Break!'' (1980s sitcom)<ref name="64parishes" /> * ''Treme'' (HBO series, appeared as himself)<ref name="64parishes" />
== Awards and honors ==
=== OffBeat's Best of The Beat Awards === {| class="wikitable" !Year !Category !Notes !Result !Ref. |- |2006 |Best Tuba/Sousaphonist | |{{won}} |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Best of the Beat Award Winners: Complete List |url=https://www.offbeat.com/news/best-of-the-beat-award-winners-complete-list/ |website=OffBeat Magazine |date=2011-09-08 |access-date=2025-07-31}}</ref> |- |2007 |Best Tuba/Sousaphonist |Tied with Philip Frazier and Matt Perrine |{{won}} |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Best of the Beat Award Winners: Complete List |url=https://www.offbeat.com/news/best-of-the-beat-award-winners-complete-list/ |website=OffBeat Magazine |date=2011-09-08 |access-date=2025-07-31}}</ref> |- |2013 |Best Tuba/Sousaphonist | |{{won}} |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Best of the Beat Award Winners: Complete List |url=https://www.offbeat.com/news/best-of-the-beat-award-winners-complete-list/ |website=OffBeat Magazine |date=2011-09-08 |access-date=2025-07-31}}</ref> |- |2020 |Best Tuba/Sousaphonist | |{{won}} |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Best of the Beat Award Winners: Complete List |url=https://www.offbeat.com/news/best-of-the-beat-award-winners-complete-list/ |website=OffBeat Magazine |date=2011-09-08 |access-date=2025-07-31}}</ref> |- |2023 |Best Tuba/Sousaphonist | |{{won}} |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Best of the Beat Award Winners: Complete List |url=https://www.offbeat.com/news/best-of-the-beat-award-winners-complete-list/ |website=OffBeat Magazine |date=2011-09-08 |access-date=2025-07-31}}</ref> |}
== References == {{reflist}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Joseph, Kirk}} Category:1961 births Category:Living people Category:Jazz musicians from New Orleans Category:American jazz tubists Category:American male jazz musicians Category:Rhythm and blues musicians from New Orleans Category:Dirty Dozen Brass Band members Category:Treme Brass Band members Category:21st-century American tubists Category:21st-century American male musicians Category:21st-century African-American musicians Category:20th-century African-American musicians