La Gomera

Bio:

Vibist and percussionist Joe Caploe has worked and recorded with Bobby McFerrin, Roscoe Mitchell (Art Ensemble of Chicago), Jeff Coffin (Bela Fleck, Dave Matthews Band), Claire Fischer, Babatunde Olatunji, Music Theatre Group of New York, Swapan Chauduri, Rare Earth, Todd Phillips, Tom Taylor and Chester Thompson among many others. He is founder of Nextagem, an independent CD label with six releases. As a well-known educator and performer he has appeared at music festivals and clinics at Universities and high schools across the US. His band, Neck N Neck, is a proponent of cross-cultural sounds, blending world music & jazz.

Before relocating to San Antonio in 2010 he served as Director of Percussion & Jazz Studies at the University of Wisconsin Platteville. He currently is a professor at St. Mary's University in San Antonio, teaching drum set, percussion and a Latin Jazz Combo.

Active in the San Antonio music scene Caploe can be heard playing with the San Antonio Jazz Orchestra, Primetime, Ulterior Motive, Hot Sauce and South Texas Jazz as well as other local artists. His band Neck N Neck was featured on KTRU 91.7 to promote their Texas tour opening for Jeff Coffin & the "Mutet" in 2011. His compositions are featured on the KRTU 91.7 South Texas Jazz Project.

His major concert appearances include the Monterey Jazz Festival, Concord Jazz Festival, Iowa City Jazz Festival, Israel Festival(Jerusalem), Festival de Theatre(Montreal), Day of the Drum Festival(San Francisco), Watts Day of the Drum Festival, San Jose Jazz Festival, America Festival and Wisconsin Public Radio.

Reviews:
Between the Lines
Joe Caploe
Nextagem

"Drummer/percussionist Joe Caploe's fifth CD recording as a leader is filled with a variety of modern musical influences and styles. From post-bop to modern jazz tunes reminiscent of the band Steps Ahead, Caploe covers both the drum and percussion chairs in this collection of ten original compositions. Tunes such as "Free Three" and "Seven Bridges" have a modern jazz flavor while "Ogun" is obviously derived from the Afro-Cuban tradition. "Wandering Spirit" connotes a jungle atmosphere, and this contrasts nicely with the urban, traditional feel of "Fruits of the Forest".

Sounding equally comfortable soloing on vibes, adding tasty percussion or driving a jazz rhythm section, Caploe keeps the listener's attention with a full palette of sounds. Tabla player Leonice Shinneman also shines on this recording."

Terry O'Mahoney
Percussive Notes February 2008

“All In” is the second release by vibraphonist/percussionist Joe Caploe’s world jazz ensemble Neck N Neck, an ensemble that dates itself back when the members attended the California Institute of the Arts together in the 80’s, and what an impressive recording it is! “All In” features Interesting compositions/arrangements with musicianship that can only be described as world-class! Players are all veterans and have played with such luminaries as Frank Zappa, Roscoe Mitchell, Don Cherry, Stevie Wonder, and Sting; as well, Neck N Neck have delivered performances at San Jose Jazz Festival, The America Festival, Iowa City Jazz Festival, and much, much more.

Each of the players in Neck N Neck is masterful. Joe Caploe’s vibraphone playing is highly skilled and he is surely a vibraphone player to listen for. He plays with great imagination and skill. Percussionist Leonice Shinneman and bassist Mark London Sims attention to groove is impeccable, and Marks modern bass tone is spot-on. You wish more bassists had this balanced and smooth of a sound. Leonice Shinneman is a percussionist of the first order, masterful. Rob Blocks piano and guitar playing (!!?) are flawless, lines well-developed, and interesting to listen to. The flute of Andy Strasmich is elegant, fantastic tone, and simply beautiful.

With this much great musicianship, you’d think the CD would devolve into a chops fest, but it is simply not the case. The ensembles musical skills are used to bring out the compositions and are used in subtle, tasteful ways, while still leaving you impressed. Not an easy feat to accomplish, for sure!

I find it difficult to single out any single track on Neck N Neck’s “All In” as each of the tracks are all excellent in their execution, but I did enjoy No Space For Space, Jacob’s Well, and Hang Time immensely. Overall, this CD is expertly produced, has interesting compositions, and features a masterful, well-rounded ensemble that is second to none. Definitely not another world music snooze/cheese fest, these guys have the musical skills and credentials to lay it down. Fans of the Repercussion Unit or maybe the Pat Metheny Group would find this an easy add to their collection. I highly recommend!
Posted by Daren Burns - SoCal Creative Music

"Joe Caploe is a percussionist of the highest degree as he puts his whole emotional, artistic and spiritual self into everything he plays. Joe shines on "Between the Lines" with his beautifully indulgent interplay with the other musicians and with his personal spirit of joyful adventure. I am honored to be a part of his artistic journey and I will look forward to more wonderful surprises from Joe in the, hopefully near future. Listen well...there is a lot between the lines."
Jeff Coffin saxophonist / photographer 3x Grammy Award winning member of Bela Fleck and the Flecktones and the Dave Matthews Band.

"Neck N Neck combines creative ideas, wonderful playing, great musicianship,and wonderful people. It is hard to top that winning combination. They are able to draw form their years of professional experience in almost every style of music to create refreshing innovative performances. They are really one with their music. "

Dan Fairchild
Department of Performing and Visual Arts Chair
University of Wisconsin Platteville

"With a strong bent for Steps Ahead like fusion and Brazilian and African roots, Joe Caploe's debut album "Hearsay" provides a glimpse into the horizons of modern jazz in California."
Sammy Cohen Jazz Times

RadioIndy is proud to present Joe Caploe a GrIndie Award for his CD "Hearsay".
A GrIndie Award is RadioIndy's stamp of approval that this CD is an excellent quality CD. Please join us in congratulating this artist on this accomplishment.
Excellent World Fusion CD
author: RadioIndy Review Team

On "Hearsay," Joe Caploe combines a number of instruments of different cultures to create a unique jazz sound that is captivating. The many different percussive instruments produce a multi-layered beat that provides each track with a deep rhythmic backbone. The creativity on this CD is very high, as this blend of world instruments come together to create a unique, yet enjoyable sound. The excellent musicianship on these various instruments is clear throughout the CD. Some tracks, such as "Corridors," take on a percussive, and almost tropical jazz sound. Check out this CD to hear the enjoyable world fusion created by Joe Caploe and his Neck N Neck band with their unique blend of instruments.