Joe Puma

Joe Puma (August 13, 1927–May 31, 2000) was an American jazz guitarist. Puma's first professional experience came with Joe Roland in 1949-50. He acted as a session musician for many jazz musicians of the 1950s, including Louie Bellson, Artie Shaw, Eddie Bert, Herbie Mann, Mat Mathews, Chris Connor, and Paul Quinichette; he also recorded extensively as a leader at this time. In the 1960s he worked with Morgana King, Bobby Hackett, Gary Burton, and Carmen McRae, and between 1972 and 1977 he and Chuck Wayne led an ensemble. He continued to perform and teach into the late 1990s. Discography * East Coast Jazz Series (Bethlehem Records, 1954) * Joe Puma Quintet (Bethlehem, 1954) * It's a Blue World * Wild Kitten (Dawn Records, 1957) * Joe Puma Jazz Trio and Quartet (Jubilee Records, 1957) * Like Tweet (Columbia Records, 1961) * Interactions (Choice Records, 1973) * Shining Hour (Reservoir Records, 1984)A superior guitarist for a half-century, Joe Puma has had a steady if low profile career, uplifting many sessions without getting famous himself. Puma came from a musical family (several relatives played guitar) and his first major job was with vibraphonist Joe Roland (1949-50). In the 1950's Puma appeared on many record sessions including with Roland, Louie Bellson, Artie Shaw's Gramercy Five (1954), Eddie Bert, Herbie Mann, Mat Mathews, Chris Connor and Paul Quinichette. Puma was seemingly everywhere during that era. He accompanied Morgana King for two years and in the 1960's recorded with Bobby Hackett, Gary Burton (1964) and Carmen McRae among many others. During 1972-77 he co-led a duo with fellow guitarist Chuck Wayne, later became a teacher and Puma has remained musically active on a part-time basis into the late 1990's. Joe Puma led record dates of his own for Bethlehem (1954), Dawn, Jubilee and Columbia (1961) plus a much later session for Reservoir (1984).