Joe Roccisano

Joseph Lucian "Joe" Roccisano (October 15, 1939, Springfield, Massachusetts – November 9, 1997) was an American jazz saxophonist and arranger.

Roccisano received his BS in music education from SUNY-Potsdam in 1963. In 1964 he played in the Tommy Dorsey orchestra under Sam Donahue, then moved to Los Angeles, where he played with Don Ellis (1966-68), Ray Charles (1967-68), Louie Bellson, Lew Tabackin, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Terry Gibbs, Don Menza, Bill Holman, and Don Rader. He assembled his own 15-piece ensemble, Rocbop, in 1976, and played in the Capp-Pierce Juggernaut in 1981.

Roccisano also had extensive credits as an arranger, including with Ellis, Bellson, Doc Severinsen, and Woody Herman. He scored the tune "Green Earrings" on the 1978 Herman album Chick, Donald, Walter, and Woodrow, and was nominated for a Grammy award for the arrangement. He composed "Tenors of the Time", a tune recorded by Pete Christlieb and Warne Marsh. One of his most popular arrangements co-written by Pete Christlieb and played by the Buddy Rich Big Band was "Hookin' It" (See Buddy Rich DVD "Live At The Montreal Jazz Festival" 1982)