It is late summer 2009.   The sun is shining and a subtle breeze enters the window.  There is a faint sound of music in the distance.  A thought that has been lingering becomes an action.  Forces are summoned.  Ideas exchanged.  Plans are formed.  Execution begins.

The music swells but it is no longer off in the distance.  It now fills the room.  It is not a recording.  It is happening in the moment.  Air being moved by frequencies intended to stir the soul.

Three musicians. Converging after many years moving towards this union.  Honing their skills.  Working.  Not knowing where it would lead.

It becomes evident, there is mojo in the air.

Mojo…music for the mind, body & soul.  

Joe started playing guitar at a young age. A few years of formal training was the foundation that proved valuable when he started jamming with teenage friends. At the age of 14 he joined the music ministry at Saint Ann’s Monastery in Scranton. It was there that he learned to use his voice as an instrument.

While still in high school Joe partnered with a friend as an acoustic duo called Nothing Yet. Open mic nights and friends parties were the extent of their gigs. The seeds were planted but soon after high school things were put on hold.

After many years of musical inactivity Joe was inspired to pick up the guitar again. This time delving into the electric guitar sounds of blues legends such as BB King, T-bone Walker, Freddie King and many others. It was not long before a simple desire to play some electric guitar, turned into something much more. 

It all came together with Joe performing as front man for the blues band Sidetracked. Then a stint with the trio Blues Patrol. A weekly jam session brought together a group of musicians that became known as The Fat Cats. The Cats, which also included Jim Davis, performed together for seven years. Performing at venues of all types, large and small. While blues was still the primary influence, the Cats ventured into classic rock, swing, jazz and original tunes. Joe grew as both a musician and a song writer. 

That brings us to the current project, Mojo. The next step in a long journey and a band that Joe is excited to form with long time collaborator Jim Davis and seasoned professional Gil Young.

From time to time Joe also performs with other talented musicians. As well as being solo artist.

Bassist and vocalist Gil Young is a San Francisco native. He played in numerous bands through high school & college. Pursuing music as his career for many years after. 

During that time his roots were firmly planted in rock, blues, soul and funk.

Gil often found himself rehearsing and recording in the same studios with the Doobie Brothers and other touring bands. Opening for Eddie Money and backing soul artist Jackie Wilson are highlights from that period. 

Since relocating to NEPA, he’s played with many blues, classic rock, jazz and variety bands. Gil initially made contact with Joe & Jim several years back at a local music festival. 

An avid collector and builder of bass guitars, he rotates his performing instruments on a regular basis, you’ll never see him with the same one twice.

Jim has been involved in the local music scene for more than 25 years playing club dates, recording sessions and backing up various local artists.

Jim’s love of music spans many genres, and his versatility gives him a command of  styles ranging  from hard rock to blues to blue grass.  And it’s this skill that makes him one of the area’s most sought-after players.

Jim’s musical roots go back to his boyhood and his father, a guitarist and concert violinist.  Though Jim started out playing violin, once he heard Emerson, Lake and Palmer,  he became hooked on drumming. It was this early progressive rock influence that led him to develop a more melodic and symphonic style of drumming that is still evident in his playing today.

He honed his skills playing drums in his high school concert and marching bands as well as  numerous garage bands.  Most of his early career he played the club scene in Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey.

Then, in 2001, he found a musical soul-mate when he hooked up with Joe Kopicki  and to form the “Fat Cats” -- a band that was never afraid to push the musical envelope.

Now, he’s again joining forces with Joe and the very talented Gil Young on bass to push even further with “Mojo”.