Biography
Joe Krown is a New Orleans-based keyboardist and Hammond B-3 organist born on March 26 in Baltimore, Maryland, though his family relocated to Westbury, Long Island, New York when he was an infant.[7] He began taking piano lessons at age six and honed his keyboard skills throughout his youth and college years at the State University of New York at Buffalo.[6][7] In the 1980s, before relocating to New Orleans, Krown established himself as a versatile session musician in the Northeast, joining Chuck Berry's band and providing keyboard accompaniment for legendary vocal groups including the Platters and the Marvellettes.[2][3]
Krown moved to New Orleans in 1992 and quickly became a first-call organist and pianist in the city's vibrant music scene.[1] From 1992 to 2005, he held the keyboard chair with Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown & Gate's Express, appearing on chart-topping albums including "The Man," "Gate Swings," "American Music Texas Style," and "Back to Bogalusa."[1] A significant career highlight occurred in 1995 when Krown and Gate's Express served as the opening act for Eric Clapton on a 62-date world tour.[1] Between September 1996 and June 2001, Krown occupied the prestigious Traditional Piano Night slot at the Maple Leaf Bar in New Orleans, a position previously held by jazz legends Professor Longhair and James Booker.[1] He founded the Joe Krown Organ Combo in 1999, which has performed extensively at major festivals including the French Quarter Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and the Ottawa Blues Fest, while also maintaining regular performances at New Orleans venues such as the House of Blues, Tipitina's, and dba.[1]
Krown's discography as a leader includes "Just the Piano...Just the Blues" (1998), "New Orleans Piano Rolls" (2003), and multiple albums with the Joe Krown Organ Combo: "Down & Dirty" (1999), "Buckle Up" (2000), "Funkyard" (2002), and "Livin' Large" (2005).[1] In 2004, he joined New Orleans Juice, a premier national touring funk act, and appeared on their 2005 double live CD "Hey Buddy."[1] His 2007 release "Old Friends" with the Joe Krown Trio, featuring vocalist and guitarist Brint Anderson and drummer Mike Barras, represented a mix of traditional New Orleans favorites and original compositions.[1] Krown won a New Orleans Big Easy Award in the Blues category in April 2001 and has been nominated twice for this honor.[4] As a Hammond endorsed artist, he remains an integral part of the Hammond artist family and continues to represent the authentic New Orleans funk, blues, and R&B tradition.[8]
Fun Facts
- Krown opened for Eric Clapton on a 62-date world tour in 1995 as part of Gatemouth Brown & Gate's Express, representing a significant international exposure early in his New Orleans career.[1]
- He inherited one of the most prestigious piano slots in New Orleans music history—the Traditional Piano Night at the Maple Leaf Bar—a position previously held by jazz legends Professor Longhair and James Booker.[1]
- Krown dedicated his 2007 album "Old Friends" to friends who passed away following Hurricane Katrina and the levee breaches, acknowledging how the stress and sadness of the post-Katrina period affected the New Orleans music community.[1]
- Gate's Express, Krown's band with Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, won the New Orleans Offbeat 2004 Best Band in the Blues Category award.[1]
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Professor Longhair - Krown inherited the Traditional Piano Night slot at the Maple Leaf Bar that was previously occupied by this New Orleans piano legend, representing a direct lineage in the New Orleans piano tradition (Traditional Piano Night at Maple Leaf Bar) [1996-2001]
- James Booker - Another predecessor at the Maple Leaf Bar's Traditional Piano Night, representing the New Orleans piano legacy that influenced Krown's musical development (Traditional Piano Night at Maple Leaf Bar) [1996-2001]
Key Collaborators
- Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown - Primary long-term collaborator; Krown served as keyboardist for Gatemouth Brown & Gate's Express (The Man, Gate Swings, American Music Texas Style, Back to Bogalusa) [1992-2005]
- New Orleans Juice - Member of this premier New Orleans funk touring band (Hey Buddy (2005 double live CD)) [2004-present]
- Brint Anderson - Vocalist and acoustic guitarist in the Joe Krown Trio (Old Friends (2007)) [2007]
- Mike Barras - Drummer in the Joe Krown Trio (Old Friends (2007)) [2007]
- Brent Rose - Saxophonist in the Joe Krown Trio (Old Friends (2007)) [2007]
- Michael Skinkus - Percussionist in the Joe Krown Trio (Old Friends (2007)) [2007]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| The Ukulele Album | 2012-11-05 | Album |
| A Picture of You | 1962-01-01 | Album |
| British Rock 'n Roll 1958-1963 | 2013-10-01 | Album |
| The Ukulele Album (Deluxe Edition) | 2013-10-20 | Album |
| Live in Liverpool | 2012-07-06 | Album |
| The Joe Brown Story: The Piccadilly/Pye Anthology | 1993 | Album |
| Crazy Mixed Up Kid | 2025-09-13 | Album |
| Just Joe (Live) | 2017-10-06 | Album |
| In Concert (Live) | 2019-11-29 | Album |
| More of the Truth | 2008-10-13 | Album |
| Hittin the High Spots | 2004-11-01 | Album |
| Fifty Six and Taller Than You Think | 1997-07-22 | Album |
| Down to Earth | 2006-09-04 | Album |
| Come on Joe | 1992-01-01 | Album |
| Three of a Kind: Lonnie Donegan, Adam Faith, Joe Brown | 2023-01-27 | Album |
Top Tracks
- I'll See You In My Dreams (The Ukulele Album)
- A Picture of You (A Picture of You)
- I'll See You In My Dreams - Live
- Here Comes The Sun - Live
- That's The Way It Goes - Live
- That's What Love Will Do (British Rock 'n Roll 1958-1963)
- Look At Me (The Strings That Tie Us Together)
- Mr Blue Sky (The Ukulele Album)
- A Picture Of You
- It Only Took a Minute (British Rock 'n Roll 1958-1963)
External Links
- Spotify
- [Wikipedia](Not found in search results)
Heard on WWOZ
joe krown has been played 12 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station. Showing the 10 most recent plays.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2, 2026 | 08:20 | Down by the Riversidefrom New Orleans Piano Rolls | The Morning Setw/ Dave Dauterive | |
| Dec 26, 2025 | 12:09 | funky JK | New Orleans Music Showw/ Black Mold or Bill DeTurk | |
| Dec 19, 2025 | 08:44 | On the Sunnyside of the Streetfrom New Orleans Piano Rolls | The Morning Setw/ Dave Dauterive | |
| Dec 18, 2025 | 12:07 | CLASSIFIED | New Orleans Music Showw/ Michael Dominici | |
| Dec 18, 2025 | 12:01 | KEEP ON GWINE | New Orleans Music Showw/ Michael Dominici | |
| Dec 18, 2025 | 11:54 | TIPITINA | New Orleans Music Showw/ Michael Dominici | |
| Dec 1, 2025 | 19:46 | keep on gwine | Blues and R&Bw/ Gentilly Jr. | |
| Nov 20, 2025 | 11:05 | Keep on Gwinefrom Old Friends | New Orleans Music Showw/ Michael Dominici | |
| Oct 23, 2025 | 11:05 | Keep on Gwinefrom Old Friends | New Orleans Music Showw/ Michael Dominici | |
| Oct 6, 2025 | 13:55 | Funk Yardfrom Funk Yard | New Orleans Music Showw/ Murf Reeves |