Joe Giuseppe Accaria, graduated in 1993 from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music with an honours degree in Music and Education majoring in contemporary and orchestral percussion under the tutelage of Rebecca Lagos, Graeme Leak, Rick Miller and Darryl Pratt. Since then Joe has performed and recorded extensively throughout Australia, Europe, Asia, Africa, Central & South America and the USA.
Artists include: Andrea Bocelli, Cyndi Lauper, Smokey Robinson, Mary Wilson (The Supremes), Tap Dogs, David Campbell, Human Nature, Gabriella Cilmi, Wendy Matthews, Ronn Moss, Big Brovas, Tina Arena, Yothu Yindi, Tim Finn, Paulini, Guy Sebastian, Shanley Del, Billy Thorpe, Jimmy Barnes, Ian Moss, Colin Hay, Ross Wilson, Doug Parkinson, Jimmy Little, iOTA, Rick Price, Alex Lloyd, The McClymonts, Sister Madly, Im Ji Hoon (Korea), Dave Mason (The Reels), Andrew Farriss (INXS), Floyd Vincent and the Childbrides, Jackie Orszaczky, Wanderlust, Jay O’Shea, Karma County, Jeff Lang, Tim Hall, Jack Jones, Colin Buchanan, Kaz James, Abbey Dobson, Jackie Bristow, Christine Anu, Donna Mckechnie, Jessica Mauboy, Grace Knight, James Morrison, Jimmy Somerville, Tammin Sursok, Sister2Sister, The Rat Pack, Paul McDermott, Paul Capsis, Tripod, Dog Trumpet, The Sandman, Chris Franklin, The Fabulous Rhythm Boys, Skunkhour, Junglehammer, Bruce, She Is The King, Lyall Adonis, Michala Banas, Freyja, Chakradiva, Darlene Zschech, Paul Turner as well as his own musical projects The Strange, Cactus Child and FSOA.
In 1997-2001 Joe featured in Dein Perry’s Steel City, with music by Tim Finn toured Australia and culminated in performances at New York’s Radio City Music Hall. Joe was also involved in performing and composing for Dein’s contribution to the Sydney 2000 Olympics Opening Ceremony and individually for Bledisloe Cup, Tri Nations and Lions Tour Rugby Events.
In 2002 Joe travelled to Cuba studying with some of Cuba’s finest percussionists and musicians including members of the Afro-Cuban All Stars as well as respected drummers Clyde Stubblefield (James Brown) and Dennis Chambers (Santana) in the US & London.
In 2005-2006 Joe performed in Dein Perry’s Tap Dogs 10th Anniversary World Tour in Australia, Europe, Africa, Asia and the USA as Musical Director.
Joe has appeared on numerous TV shows, presentations and movie soundtracks. More recently Thunderstruck, The Black Balloon, The Godfather Symphony Live working with prominent producers, composers and orchestrators such as Mark Opitz, Michael Yeserski and Ashley Irwin and more recently under Marcello Rota on tour with Andrea Bocelli.
Joe is again collaborating with Dein Perry composing and performing for Tap Dogs performances at Australia Day and World Youth Day events, the 2008 NRL Grand Final and exciting new dance/music troupe The Next Step.
2009 saw Joe in Las Vegas with Human Nature as Musical Director in a show presented by Smokey Robinson @ The Imperial Palace Casino on the Las Vegas Strip and returning to Australia as Musical Director for David Campbell appearing on his “Good Lovin” & “Keep On Lovin” albums and national tours.
2010 saw Joe performing the Sydney Festival’s Smoke & Mirrors in Sydney, Adelaide and Edinburgh, The Sydney Theatre Company’s Spring Awakening, David Campbell’s Tour with Tom Jones, Musical Direction for Tap Dogs’ return to the West End in London, composing for the Opening of the FIFA World Cup live sites and featuring in the premiere of Trevor Ashley’s “I’m Every Woman” in The Studio @ The Sydney Opera House.
Smoke & Mirrors received 3 Helpmann Awards in 2010 for Best New Australian Work, Best Cabaret Performer (iOTA) with Joe receiving the award for Best Original Score with iOTA, Tina Harris, Martin Hailey and Chris Ball and returned to the 2011 Sydney Festival as well as seasons at the Melbourne Arts Centre and the Auckland Arts Festival.
2011 has also seen Joe performing in David Campbell’s Broadway & Beyond Tour as well as featuring in premiere works at The Adelaide Cabaret Festival including “When I Was Young I Listened To The Radio” Carrie Rawlings (UK), “Josie In The Bathhouse” Josie Lane and “Back On Crack” Lisa Adam as Amy Housewine.
Joe was also the studio recording David Campbell’s forthcoming album “Let’s Go” released in November and now touring nationally throughout 2012. Joe was also delighted to be asked to perform the role of Musical Director for the Lord Mayor’s New Years Eve celebrations as well as the world premiere of iOTA’s “Young, Hard & Solo at The Sydney Opera House for Sydney Festival. In recent months Joe has co-produced (with Marty Hailey) EPs for The Jeans and the emerging Bobby Fox, known for playing the role of Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys.