Born in Jackson, Tennessee on the 4th of July, 1944. Joe found his independence at the age of ten when he picked up his first instrument, drums .Then, working his way, from guitar to trombone and finally bass guitar.
Joe found himself in early childhood earning his keep in Southern juke joints, working with a variety of blues bands. Over the years he developed a reputation for being one of the finest blues sidemen in the United States and today is featured on many of those penultimate recordings that we now regard as the foundation of blues history.
Joe has previously worked with the likes of: B.B. King (5 yrs), Albert King (7 yrs), Little Milton (4 yrs), Earl Hooker, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Isaac Hays, Lonnie and Floyd, etc ... as well as making his mark among so may blues fans over the years. Joe has also chalked up a vast number of accolades from both the music industry and various dignitaries.
Having made Memphis his adopted home, Joe Turner is now considered to be one of the few remaining exponents of the ‘True Memphis Sound' still working the International touring circuit. His band (The Memphis Blues Caravan) exudes the influences that Joe absorbed from so may of his previous employers.
B ig Joe, as he is known by friends and fans worldwide is still writing and producing all the Memphis Blues Caravan releases himself. Big Joe has just finished recording his next studio album (My French Connection) and it is due to be released in 2005.