Born in San Jose, California, Joe has been playing the drums since age five. He was first taught at home by his older brother, Gino, then later by the late great Karl “Animal” Carter. Joe later became active in playing in school bands, where his first love for jazz began. He received a scholarship to attend the Stanford Jazz Workshop and then became a member of the Alum Rock Jazz Band (1988). At 14, Joe began playing professionally around the San Francisco Bay Area with the Jazz-Fusion group, The Bill Ireton Trio, and many others! He also began playing at the Great America Amusement Park with the Top 40 Band, Summer Rhythms (88).

He has been honored to have studied with such greats as Wally Schnalle, Bryant Mills, Joe Porcaro, Freddie Grubber, John Ramsay, Kenwood Denard, Chad Wackerman, and many others!

At this time, Joe met and became friends with Jazz-legend Louie Bellson. The common bonds of their being Jazz drummers and of Italian heritage kept their friendship tight for over ten years. Joe says, “Louie was like a second father to me. He taught me so much about music, friendship, and life. It was a true blessing to have Louie in my life!”

In 1994, Joe followed his dream and moved to Boston to attend the prestigious Berklee College of Music. Joe was also honored to have received a scholarship to attend Berklee. The Berklee experience was everything Joe could have ever imagined! He graduated in 1998, with a Bachelors in Performance, Magna Cum Laude.

After Berklee, Joe has toured and recorded with such greats as Jazz vocalist, Robin McKelle, Boston Blues-Diva, Toni Lynn Washington, Hip-Hop extraordinaire Kofy Brown, Guitar virtuoso Hristo Vitchev, and Samoan Reggae Artist, Geno and the Blue Island Band. Joe also leads his own Jazz-Fusion group, Joe DeRose and Amici. They have two recordings out titled “Sounds for the Soul” and “Peace Streets”, which was on the ballot for a Grammy for “Best Instrumental Jazz” in 2013.

“Joe DeRose and Amici take old-school Fusion and move it into the next millennium with “Peace Streets”. Joe DeRose swings like a beast, a lyrical drummer with the intensity of a Billy Cobham and the deft touch of a Max Roach. The harmonious synergy captured here is mind-blowing. I grew up on Fusion, and this is better. Joe DeRose and Amici get it right. This is as close to perfect as one can get!”
—Brent Black
(Critical Jazz)

Since then, Joe has moved back to San Jose. One of his accomplishments that he is proud of is playing his debut drum clinic at San Jose Pro Drum opening for Drum legend, Tommy Aldridge.

Most recently, Joe has released his first instructional drum book titled “16th Note Possibilities”, which is currently available digitally on Hudson Music and is available in hard copy form on this site in the store.

At this time, Joe was featured on The Sabian SEN Educator Spotlight, interviewed by the late great Dom Famularo, which can be viewed on YouTube.  This interview was a special moment in Joe’s career and life that he would like to share with you! R.I.P. Dom

Joe has been teaching privately for over 25 years and now teaches at The Rhythm Academy in San Jose, California.

Joe most recently has collaborated with a super group of musicians that will bring you electrifying Jazz-Fusion like you have never heard!!! Dann Zinn on Sax, Murray Low on Keys, Brian Sheu on Guitar, Eric Thomas on Bass, and Joe DeRose on Drums, Joe DeRose and Amici II. They are working on their first release titled, “New Day!” Coming 2024!

Throughout the years’ Joe DeRose has appeared in some of the most prestigious music venues all around the world, including the Monterey Jazz Festival (Monterey, CA), Yoshi’s Jazz Club (Oakland, CA), Kuumbwa Jazz Center (Santa Cruz, CA), Leader Bank Pavilion (Boston, MA), San Jose Jazz Summer Fest (San Jose, CA), Leopold Museum (Vienna, Austria), Center For Performing Arts (San Jose, CA), Okazaki Jazz Festival (Okazaki, Japan), Far Out Jazz Club (Yokohama, Japan), Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival (New Brunswick, Canada), Herbst Theater (San Francisco, CA), Montgomery Theater (San Jose, CA), House of Blues (Boston, MA), Moods Jazz Club (Zurich, Switzerland), Flavors of Jazz Concert Series (San Jose, CA), Flint Center (Cupertino, CA), Mama Kin (San Jose, CA), and many more!

“A wonderful talent and a wonderful friend!”
—Louie Bellson 
Drum legend

Joe, Louie Bellson, and Nick DeRose Sr.