Raised in the Washington DC area, Joey Whitney had spent his early years listening to music. At age 9 he began playing alto saxophone. Two years later, he switched to soprano saxophone and later added tenor saxophone. Joey picked up bass guitar in high school and quickly earned a reputation in local rock bands. He vividly remembers practicing and rehearsing daily with a rock band put together of neighborhood friends, "we would play into the very late hours of the night and would finally stop when the neighbors would tap on the walls". That neighborhood band would eventually compete in a well respected "Battle of The Bands" sponsored by a local radio station. The band would go on to win the competition and later record an album. Meanwhile, Joey also played tenor saxophone in the high school jazz band and would win multiple awards. As his interest in jazz and improvisation grew he focused on the saxophone.
After high school, Joey Whitney attended Howard University. He studied music and psychology as a student at the University. He joined the world acclaimed Howard University Jazz Ensemble under band leader Fred Irby. At this time, Joey began studying with saxophone virtuoso Charlie Young. Holding the jazz tenor chair, Joey had the opportunity to perform with legendary jazz artists including: Donald Byrd, Billy Harper, Eddie Henderson, Jimmy Heath, Keter Betts, Yusef Lateef and many others. Joseph began recording with the Howard University Jazz Ensemble in 2001 and has cut multiple albums with the ensemble. He toured Tokyo and Yokosuka Japan in 2005 with the HUJE.
After a recital at Andrew Rankin Chapel, jazz drummer and singer Grady Tate patted Joey on the back and said "you sound good". Grady Tate has recorded with many of the top musicians around the world including the late great Stan Getz, Joey's major influence.
In 2006, Joey landed a spot with Minor Thoughts, a Washington DC based jazz group. With Minor Thoughts, Joey can be heard on two live albums and a studio quintet session. In addition to Minor Thoughts, Joey is currently a member of Jump Alley, For Dancers Only, Northern Lights Orchestra, Jerome Meltzer Trio and The Triple Double Jazz Band. He has freelanced with numerous jazz, funk, variety, and rock bands and artists in the DC area.
