Joseph Maher a/k/a “Big Joe” Maher has been a performing drummer/singer for over 30 years. He started his career at an early age playing in his high school jazz band, The Starliners. Thanks to the band’s director, Col. Joe Carley, a retired Air Force Colonel who often invited great musicians to sit in as guest performers, Big Joe found himself playing with the likes of Clark Terry, Urbie Green, Mudell Lowe and James Moody, just to name a few.
After high school Joe immediately hit the road with his own jazz trio and a new mission: to become an accomplished singer/drummer. Over time he shared the stage with musicians like Jimmy Witherspoon, Bullmoose Jackson, James “Thunderbird” Davis, Nappy Brown, Otis Rush, Earl King and more.
In the late 80’s, after performing with and managing the nine-piece swing band The Uptown Rhythm Kings and a few years drumming and touring with the Tom Principato Band, Big Joe formed his own 5-piece blues jump outfit, Big Joe and the Dynaflows. In addition, he accepted the role as musical coordinator for Mick Fleetwood’s (Fleetwood Mac) now defunct club in Alexandria, VA, Fleetwoods.
The Dynaflows released their first Severn recording, I’m Still Swingin’ (Severn CD-0004) which won the Washington Area Music Association (WAMA) “Best Blues Recording” in 1998. All Night Long (Severn CD-0009), You Can’t Keep a Big Man Down (Severn CD-0051) and Rockhouse Party (Severn CD-0074) are his other three Severn titles.
In addition to an active touring schedule, Big Joe can be seen each year on good friend Delbert McClinton’s Sandy Beaches cruise.
DISCOGRAPHY
Rockhouse Party (Severn CD-0074 © 2019)
You Can’t Keep a Big Man Down (Severn CD-0051 © 2011)
All Night Long (Severn CD-0009 © 2000)
I’m Still Swingin’ (Severn CD-0004 © 1998)
Layin’ In the Alley (Black Top)
Cool Dynaflow (Tramp)
Good Rockin Daddy (Powerhouse/Ichiban)
Big Joe Maher & Jeff Sarli – Mojo (Mapleshade Records)
Bob Margolin – The Old School (Powerhouse/Ichiban)
Tom Principato – In Orbit (Powerhouse Ichiban)
Mark Wenner – Nothin’ But (Powerhouse/Ichiban)
Ann Rabson – Music Makin’ Mama (Alligator Records)
Joe Stanley – King of the Honkey Tonk Sax (Mapleshade)
Compilation – The Blues You Would Hate to Lose (Right On Rhythm)
Compilation – Jumpin’ the Blues (Wanna Dance)
Compilation – Made For Dancin’ (Beach Bag)
Compilation – Blues On the Loose (Beach Bag)
Compilation – I Warned You Baby (Gutter Records)
