Joel Zoss has enjoyed a worldwide cult following as a master songwriter since Bonnie Raitt recorded his “Too Long at the Fair” and “I Gave My Love a Candle.” His songs have sold millions of copies, earning him two gold records, and have been acquired and licensed by institutions as diverse as MUZAK and the Smithsonian Institution. He is a National Endowment for the Arts Fellow of Creative Writing and a PEN short story award winner. His recordings are currently available on BMG/SONY as imports from Japan, in the United States on Catalan, Rounder, Critique, DM, and through the Smithsonian; and at CD Baby, iTunes, and many other sites online. Joel’s album Lila (2008) was produced by June Millington, leader of the legendary group Fanny.

Since 2007 Joel has appeared frequently with B.B.King in theaters across the country. In addition, he had performed and recorded with many highly regarded artists including James Taylor, David Bromberg, Bonnie Raitt, John Hartford, Paul Butterfield, David Sanborn, Vassar Clements, Lowell George, Little Feat, John Hall and Orleans, Taj Mahal, Norman Blake, Juan-Carlos Formell, Todd Rundgren, Kate Taylor, The Master Musicians of Jajouka, and Howling Wolf. As a solo artist and with the Joel Zoss Trio he has appeared at landmark folk and national venues from Manhattan’s The Living Room to the Henry Miller Library in Big Sur; the Philadelphia Folk Festival, The Beacon Theater, Folk City, Max’s Kansas City, The Cutting Room, The Bottom Line, The Other End, The Main Point, and New England’s Passim, Cafe Lena, Johnny D's, Paradise, Bushnell,  Hooker-Dunham Theatre, Iron Horse Music Hall, and Northampton Academy of Music.

The Joel Zoss Trio features Guy DeVito, formerly of FAT, on bass; and timekeeper extraordinaire Billy Klock, on drums. Guy DeVito has recorded and performed with his band FAT (Atlantic and RCA) and with such well-known artists as Felix Pappalardi, John Kay and Steppenwolf, Matt “Guitar” Murphy, and Stevie Wonder. Billy Klock is a graduate of the Hartford Conservatory of Music who has kept time and recorded with many major players, most recently touring nationally with former Roomful of Blues luminary Greg Piccolo and Heavy Juice.

Here is a sampling of press comments:

American dream songs called in long-distance from an area code as yet unspecified.

                                                                                                        —Rolling Stone

He has an uncanny knack for conjuring up gorgeous images that tap the most complex of human emotions.

                                                                                              —Honolulu Times

A unique personality, with all the magic and mystery and mischievousness of the classic troubadour. The melodies will haunt you. His lyrics are first-rate poetry.

        —The Village Voice

It was a treat to see Zoss perform old blues numbers and songs from his forthcoming album…the audience was sent

back out into the warm night knowing they had witnessed something special.

                                                                                               —Lahri Bond, Dirty Linen #114, November 2004