Joe Utterback was born October 8, 1944 in Hutchinson, Kansas and received both a Bachelor of Music (1968) and Master of Music (1969) in Piano Performance from Wichita State University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Kansas (1979). Since 1992 he has been on the faculty of Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut, and since 1996 he has been the director of music/organist/pianist at First Congregational Church in Stratford, Connecticut.

Joe Utterback has been a compelling artist on the American jazz scene for more than fifty years, which have included European and American tours, as well as long-term gigs in the jazz centers of Kansas City, St. Louis, San Francisco, and currently New York City. Recent annual engagements include Tony Awards Galas and the Empire State Building Christmas entertainment. His piano style has been greatly influenced by Bill Evans, Oscar Peterson, Erroll Garner, and Art Tatum. “Utterback brings . . . what might best be described as a composite of the greatest American and jazz piano styles of the century . . . a technique that makes light of every hurtle . . . married to contemplation and to colour and to phrasing and shaping of ideas. — Pianoforte, London

BEACH SPRING
HERZLIEBSTER JESU
WONDROUS LOVE
ROCKINGHAM
WOODWORTH
STEAL AWAY
NEAR THE CROSS
BALM IN GILEAD
HAMBURG PETRA