J.J. Clarke is a versatile, well-rounded musician, teacher and clinician who is proficient in blues, jazz, big band, r&b, rock n’ roll, country and reggae.  She performs with several bands in various styles in the New York-New Jersey-Connecticut Tri-State area.  She has opened for such performers as Sue Foley, Sonny Landreth, and Gregg Allman. She has also recorded with numerous artists. 

Her studio and album credits include:

*King Lower School Children: "Road to Recovery" 2011

*The Dream Jam Band: "Leave It In The Soup" 2010

*The Geoff Hartwell Band: "Hate To See You Go" 2009

* The Geoff Hartwell Band: “Perfect Stranger” 2006

* The HooDoo Blues Band: “Turning Blue” 2005

* Brett Rothenhaus: “Flying Once Again” 2002

* Future Blues: A Celebration of Paramount Records (Larchmont Records-Produced by Joe Ferry) tracks include “See See Rider” and “On The Wall” with Sue Foley 2002

* Tribute to Mana (Snake Machine Records-Produced by Joe Ferry) 2002

* The Tribute to Lenny Kravitz: An Eclectic Mix (Snake Machine Records-Produced by Joe Ferry) 2002

* Public Domain Blues (Purchase Records-Produced by Joe Ferry) Appeared on “Goin’ Down Slow” 2001

* The Blues Tribute to the Grateful Dead (CMH Records –Produced by Joe Ferry) 2001

* The Reggae Tribute to Jimmy Buffet (Snake Machine Records-Produced by Joe Ferry) 2001

* Sly Geralds: “Got To Be Like Superman” 2000

* Emily Morrison 2000

* Amanda Thorpe: “Too Many Spirits” 1999

* Monique St. Walker 1999

* John and Kristin Fuhrer 1998

* Joy Zuzulow: “Bet Along Five” 1998

* Riverbotton Nightmare Band: “Flying Low” 1994

J.J. has performed as a member of the Westchester Conservatory.  She participated in various Jazz Ensembles from 1998-2000 and in 2004.  She has been a member of the Conservatory Big Band since 2001.  She participated in the Big Band during the summer of 2002 which included renowned saxophonist, Carmen Leggio and in March of 2005 for the 75th Anniversary of the Conservatory held at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center.  This band included renowned guitarist, Bucky Pizzarelli.  She was also a member of the Westchester Conservatory All-Star Student Jazz Band with which she has opened for artists such as Melba Joyce, Lionel Hampton, Max Roach, and Roy Hargrove.
 

She has also been involved with TV and radio.  She appeared on “Poughkeepsie Live” with Dallas Fischer in 2000 and with Geoff Hartwell in 2009.  In 1999 and 2009, she performed on live radio (WPDH 101.5 FM and WPKN 89.5 FM) with the Wallbangers.  She is also heard on the Kids Discovery Channel performing the theme music for two shows.  The songs were “Into the Unknown” (2000) and “Outward Bound” (1998).
 

J.J. continues to study drums privately with Nick Mangini in New York..  She attended the University of North Texas as a member of its Jazz Studies program from 1994 to 1997 and completed her Bachelor of Art’s degree in Liberal Studies at SUNY Purchase.
 
In addition to performing and her own studies, J.J. teaches drums privately.  She is also an instructor and faculty member of Crescendo Productions which has provided summer rock camps since 2004.

Education                              SUNY Purchase, Purchase, NY

                                                Bachelor of Arts:  May 2000

                                                Major:  Liberal Arts

University of North

Texas, Denton, TX                     

                                                Jazz Studies Program

                                                1994-1997

Styles                                     Proficient in Rock and Roll, R&B, Blues, Jazz, Big Band,

Country and Reggae

Current Ventures                 Performs and records with several bands in various styles in

the tri-state area, teaches private lessons, and continues her

studies with Nick Mangini

Recording Projects              The Geoff Hartwell Band:  “Perfect Stranger”                                    2006

                                                The HooDoo Blues Band:  “Turning Blue”                                          2005

                                                Brett Rothenhaus:  “Flying Once Again”                                             2002

“Future Blues:  A Celebration of Paramount Records”,                     2002

Produced by Joe Ferry, Tracks included “See See Rider”

and “On The Wall” with Sue Foley

“Tribute to Mana”, Produced by Joe Ferry                                          2002

“The Tribute to Lenny Kravitz:  An Eclectic Mix”,                                2002

Produced by Joe Ferry

TV/Radio Appearances        “Hot Topics Cast Calling” with the Blues Dogs on                             2006

New Castle Community Television

“Poughkeepsie Live” with Dallas Fisher on Time Warner                  2000

Cable 6                                               

                                                Live performance on WPDH 101.5FM with The Wallbangers           1999

                                                Kids Discovery Channel performing theme music for the                 1998 & 2000

                                                shows “Outward Bound” and “Into the Unknown”

Performance Highlights      75^th Anniversary of the Westchester Conservatory                           2005

Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center with legendary guitarist Bucky

Pizzarelli                            

Westchester Conservatory Big Band with legendary saxophonist    2002

Carmen Leggio

Westchester Conservatory All-Star Student Jazz Band                    1998-2000

opening for artists such as Melba Joyce, Lionel Hampton,

Max Roach and Roy Hargrove