RELEASE DATE: SEPTEMBER 29, 2023. CATALOG # 202314. UPC: 855925004882.

Accomplished jazz pianist, composer, slipped away on September 8, 2021.  He was 77.

A staple of the San Diego jazz scene, played and recorded with Buddy Rich (Mercy, Mercy, Mercy & Chavala), Lori Bell, Art Johnson, Jazz For 4, Danny Campbell, Joe Marillo, Bob Magnusson, Dave Scott, Bill Andrews, Art Pepper, and his brother, bassist Tom Azarello.

Joe and Tom grew up in Kenmore, NY (near Buffalo), first went to Rochester and played with many of incoming jazz groups, but migrated westward and began playing in LA and San Diego in the 60’s with the who’s who of the day. There wasn’t a jazz club that the brothers did not perform in.

Joe referred to Croce’s as the place to be if you loved jazz.

Joe was one of the clinicians at the Jazz Artists Guild camp throughout the early 2000’s.

Two Volumes will be released on ITI Records, that will showcase his talent.

Vol. 1 Tracks

1. Days of Wine & Roses

2. Night & Day

3. Georgia On My Mind

4. Moonlight in Vermont

5. Sweet & Lovely

6. You Are My Sunshine

7. Willow Weep For Me

8. A Little Poem with Lori Bell - Flute, Grant Levin - Piano, Rob Thorsen - Bass, Duncan Moore – Drums

9. Do You Think That The People In La Jolla Ever Get The Blues Now & Then

10. Body & Soul