For more than 20 years Joe Bussey has been an active part of the northeast jazz scene as a sought after bass player and teacher. He graduated with honors from Rutgers, Mason Gross School of the Arts in 2001 with a degree in Jazz Performance, studying with Mike Richmond. Joe began gigging immediately as his sound on the bass, compelling rhythmic feel and respect for the jazz tradition made him a sought after sideman. Before graduation from Rutgers, he was picked up by the Tommy Dorsey Band led by trombone legend Buddy Morrow.  Soon after Joe became a familiar figure in the late night Manhattan jam session scene playing as a sideman in house bands under leaders Julius Tolintino, Jeb Patton, Wayne Escofory and Randy Napoleon. With 20 years of gigging experience in New York, Joe has been fortunate to have a long list of sideman credits with some of the finest jazz musicians anywhere, including Ralph Bowen, Bruce Williams, Ron Affif, Saul Rubin, Lezlie Harrison, Champian Fulton, Lauren Henderson, Brian Newman, Sachal Vasandani and many others. Joe taught ensembles at the New School, working with Andrew Cyrille and Joanne Brackeen and taught at the Jazz House Kids jazz education program in Montclair, NJ.