JOE PERFORMER
Joe Craven is a madman with anything that has strings attached; violin, mandolin, tin can, bedpan, cookie tin, tenor guitar, mouth bow, banjo, berimbau, balalaika, boot ‘n lace plus a world of percussion instruments including animal bones, squeeze toys, cake pans, waste cans, umbrella stands, martini shakers and; Himself. Educator, former museum curator, visual artist, actor/storyteller, festival emcee and former 17-year vet for mandolinist David Grisman, Joe has recorded and played with folks ranging from jazz violinist Stephane Grappelli to Grateful Dead Guitarist Jerry Garcia to The Persuasions.
More a re-composer and recycler of music as object and idea, Joe believes in stretching the boundaries of musical style while paying tribute to and helping forward evolving musical traditions. His own wildly varied recordings are testimonies to this folk music philosophy.
Don't throw it away - redefine it as a musical tool - teach it to a child - leave it as a gift."
JOE EDUCATOR
Joe is not just an entertaining musician with a penchant for the mischievous, he is a teacher and a student all at once, and will draw you into his performance by including you as though you're part of the show itself. Joe is always looking for the next expression or breath or object to make music with. His gift for gab is unprecedented and his musical knowledge impressive. And Craven's openness and expression of gratitude for the gifts he's been given make it all the more fun for him to share it with his audience. No matter whom he's connecting with; a community workshop in Costa Rica, a university lecture demonstration in California, or on stage in front of thousands of school kids in Scotland, he's at home and loving every minute.
