Joe Grisanzio, a Jersey Shore-based singer, songwriter and producer, has always made his music about connection. Blending pop, rock and jazz with influences from artists like Amy Winehouse, Adele and Lady Gaga, Grisanzio has spent the last 15 years evolving his sound -from performing in theatre productions as a child to writing original music and forming his own band. Across the Northeast, his energetic live shows are emotional, honest and musically dynamic.
This year, Grisanzio will bring his sound to the Musikfest Music Industry Conference Band Showcase, a program that offers emerging artists the opportunity to perform, receive professional coaching and gain feedback from music industry professionals. Performing at Musikfest has long been a goal, but Grisanzio says the chance to learn from experienced mentors is what ultimately inspired him to apply.
Grisanzio’s musical journey began in theatre, where he spent most of his childhood performing before turning to songwriting toward the end of high school. As a teenager, his music leaned heavily toward pop, but studying music at Muhlenberg College introduced him to jazz, world music and a community of collaborators that broadened his musical perspective. After college, forming a band through the local open mic scene added a rock influence, helping to shape the genre-blending sound he continues to develop on his debut album, “Grisanti.”
Grisanzio’s songwriting process is unique, as his ideas often begin as voice memos or melodies hummed throughout the day before taking form at the keyboard. Once a song feels complete, he brings it to his band, where rehearsals become collaborative jam sessions that often transform the music in unexpected ways.
Much of Grisanzio’s current discography explores navigating life’s complicated moments, but at its heart, his music is rooted in optimism.
“I want people to feel hope,” Grisanzio says. “I want to create a world through music and visuals that people can come back to whenever they need to scream, cry, dance, laugh.”
As he prepares for the band showcase, Grisanzio is looking forward to developing another side of his artistry. Years of theatre have made performing feel natural, but he hopes the conference coaching sessions will help him become more comfortable connecting with audiences between songs and creating an experience that is beyond the music.
That mindset has been shaped by the encouragement of his teachers, mentors, family and friends, who have supported his growth while challenging him to keep improving. Rather than measuring success against other artists, Grisanzio believes every musician has something different to offer.
Looking back, he says the biggest lesson he’s learned is that growth takes time, and creating meaningful art isn’t something that can be rushed. One lesson in particular has stuck with Grisanzio throughout his career: “Enjoy this.” It’s advice his father gave him before his performances when he was growing up, and it’s something he still reminds him of today. “Even though there are a lot of different factors at play in this business, your love for the art is what is at the core of it all.”