Joined 2008

Joe Dearani MD

  • Home city: Norwalk, Connecticut now living in Rochester, Minnesota for 30 years

  • Vocation outside music: Cardiac surgeon

  • Role in BBSC: Tenor saxophone

  • First performance with BBSC: New Orleans 2008

  • Major musical influences: Stan Getz, Lester Young, Michael Brecker, Sonny Rollins

  • Favorite musical genres: Classic jazz, rock, R & B

  • My most prized instruments: Selmer Mark VI tenor from my birthyear

  • Musical projects outside BBSC: TakeTwo and Friends is Rochester based jazz band since 2004.

  • Favorite non-musical pursuits: Author (wrote a children’s book – Dr. Nina Starr Braunwald: the first woman cardiac surgeon), rowing & cycling, weight lifting, auto racing (prior stock car mechanic)

  • What I love about BBSC: Playing for a great cause and playing with wonderful people and musicians. And continuing a musical journey for 20 years with dear friends, especially Gil, Tom and all the horn players.