Joe Lovano’s reputation as one of the great tenor saxophonists performing today stems from his search for new modes of artistic expression and new takes on what defines the jazz idiom.

His numerous awards include a 2006 Grammy Award nomination for Best Large Ensemble for Streams of Expression; Down Beat Critic's and Reader's poll Tenor Saxophonist of the Year in 2004 and 2005; The New York Times “Jazz Album of the Year” in 2004 for his ballads recording I’m All For You, featuring legendary pianist Hank Jones; a 2000 Grammy Award for Best Large Ensemble for 52nd Street Themes; and a 2001 appointment as the first Gary Burton Chair in Jazz Performance at his alma mater, Berklee College of Music. 

Mr. Lovano was appointed Artistic Director of the Caramoor Jazz Festival in 2003. When he first performed at Caramoor several year’s ago it was love at first sight. “The setting was so beautiful, it was like playing in Europe. It has that kind of elegance.” he said, “For us jazz musicians there’s nothing like walking on the gorgeous grounds and hearing the sounds of great jazz emanate from the Venetian Theater.”

In 2003, Lovano released a dynamic live recording by his Grammy-winning Joe Lovano Nonet and recorded On This Day…At The Vanguard, featuring Lovano, Willie “Face” Smith and Steve Slagle and the hip improvisations of one of Lovano’s most acclaimed ensembles. The Nonet also debuted Birth Of The Cool Suite in 2004, arranged for them by Gunther Schuller.

One of the most anticipated jazz projects of 2003 was Oh! by “ScoLoHoFo”. The dynamic all-star co-op included Lovano, John Scofield, Dave Holland and Al Foster in a program of original compositions. This impressive line-up of some of the most acclaimed musicians of the past 25 years was a huge success. They had all performed together in a variety of situations but never all at once until the Montreal Jazz Festival. On stage and on record they created a new jazz alchemy from the symbiotic relationship of four of the most distinctive improvisational voices in the world today. 

In addition, Lovano’s self-released DVD/VHS instructional video Jazz Standards: Solo Interpretations & Expressions, features an intimate recital with the master featured on a variety of horns and classic tunes. He also recently released an instructional DVD through Berklee Press, Berklee Workshop: Jazz Improvisation – A Personal Approach With Joe Lovano.

In May 2007, Blue Note will release Kids: Live at Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola, a duo CD featuring national treasure Hank Jones – their third album together – and one of the most beautiful recordings of Lovano’s career.

As the Village Voice proclaimed, "Move over Pavarotti, the great Italian tenor around today isn't Luciano, but Lovano."