About

Joe Peri is a New Jersey-born, Finland-based drummer, percussionist, and educator known for his exceptional versatility and deep roots in the jazz tradition. Since arriving in New York City in 2009, he has established himself globally, performing at premier venues like London’s Ronnie Scott’s, Amsterdam’s Bimhuis, and Paris’s Le Duc des Lombards, alongside legendary NYC staples including Smalls, Mezzrow, The Jazz Gallery, Dizzy’s, and Birdland.

A highly collaborative artist, Peri has shared the stage and studio with a literal who's-who of modern jazz— including Kurt Rosenwinkel, Brad Mehldau, Peter Bernstein, Seamus Blake, and Dave Kikoski—as well as traditional masters like Ed Cherry, George Cables, Eric Alexander, and Jerry Weldon. Notably, he recorded with Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga on their 2021 Grammy Award-winning Cole Porter tribute album, Love For Sale—which marked Bennett’s final studio recording.

Peri holds both a Bachelor’s (’13) and Master’s (’15) degree from the prestigious Manhattan School of Music, where he studied under master drummer John Riley (Village Vanguard Jazz Orchestra). Turning his expertise toward education, Peri previously taught jazz drum set at the MSM Pre-College Division and currently serves on the faculty at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki.

Now based in Europe, Peri has deep ties to the Nordic jazz scene. He frequently tours across Europe and records with Kaisa’s Machine—the acclaimed band led by his wife, Finnish bassist Kaisa Mäensivu. His debut album as a leader, Perillä, was released in February 2023 on the Finnish label Flame Jazz Records.