Hailed by Downbeat for its “deft analysis of choice repertoire,” and by the Chicago Reader for its “diversity of approaches to all kinds of source material,” the JOE POLICASTRO TRIO is a forward-thinking, Chicago-based jazz trio led by bassist Joe Policastro featuring guitarist Dave Miller and drummer Mikel Avery. While firmly rooted in jazz, the band’s open-minded, inclusive nature draws upon a wide array of musical styles and sources while still keeping the aesthetic of an acoustic trio intact.
The band has released five albums to date. Their newest release, “Sound Unheard 2012-2022,” is a collection of new recordings, outtakes, and unreleased tracks documenting the life of the trio from its earliest iteration its recent incarnation. Their last album, “Nothing Here Belongs”, (2019) focused on the band’s original music, whereas previous releases, “West Side Story Suite” (2013), “POPS!” (2016), and “Screen Sounds” (2017), highlighted the trio’s ability to remake unlikely songs in its own raw, highly idiosyncratic fashion. Beyond Chicago, the band has been extensively playing together throughout the US and Canada having even performed for President Barack Obama in October of 2016.
“…a cohesive unit with an extraordinarily flexible mindset…at every step of the way, this band breathes and bends as one.” (Dan Billawsky, All About Jazz)
“Unpredictable and sometimes eccentric…each listen…reveals more surprises.” (Scott Yanow, JAZZIZ)
“The trio have refined their layered blend of the familiar and faintly far out, playing three nights a week at Chicago’s Pops For Champagne and through extensive roadwork. Their deep understanding of each other and deft analysis of choice repertoire repays repeat and close listening.” (Michael Jackson, Downbeat)
The Joe Policastro Trio is a band that can turn “pop tart into Jazz art” (Travis Rogers, Jazz Owl) and one that “should have wide appeal among both jazz fans and listeners of other genres.” (Hrayr Attarian, Chicago Jazz Magazine)