joe rizzo
I am a San Francisco bay area singer songwriter performing acoustic finger-picking guitar mixing folk, rock, delta & ragtime styles. I perform classic songs from early roots folk to modern rock along with my own unique blend of original music.
Influences include Mississippi John Hurt, Jerry Garcia Acoustic Band, Jack Johnson, Rev. Gary Davis, the Shins, Elizabeth Cotten, Dylan, the Beatles, Jason Mraz, Simon & Garfunkel and more.
I perform solo and in a duo with acoustic stand up bass.
I also perform live solo acoustic broadcast shows frequently – check shows for dates and times.
Available for bookings in the San Francisco bay and surrounding areas.
this old band 2012-present
We perform a mix of rhythm & blues around the San Francisco bay area. Check our show schedule. We are available for private parties and events.
joe & andrea 1995-present
We are an acoustic musical duo performing a mix of folk rock, ragtime, country and blues and originals with fingerpicking acoustic guitar and stand up bass in the San Francisco bay area.
Members from left to right:
Andrea Sanguine – stand up bass, backing vocals, ukulele
Joe Rizzo – acoustic guitar, vocals, harmonica
Mystic Tribe 2002-2007
We were a music group based in the San Francisco/Berkeley/Oakland area performing a mix of reggae, classic rock, blues, jazz, and originals.
Members from left to right:
Joe Rizzo – guitar, keyboards and vocals
Del-Rickie Carter- vocals, guitar
Dylan Rayher- drums
Alvin Brown – bass guitar
Rob Gordon – keyboards (not in picture)
June 2002 – Oct 2005 Rockin’ Java Open Mic Host
Hosted and performed weekly at the Rockin’ Java Open Mic for Musicians in San Francisco’s Haight Ashbury district.
“Rizzo, who performs most Tuesdays, wields his old Gibson guitar with alacrity.” – San Francisco Examiner
1998-2002 The Calico String Band was an acoustic four piece San Francisco based group combining elements of Americana, traditional bluegrass, ragtime, blues, and rock and roll to form an interesting hybrid style of music. Performed primarily in the San Francisco Bay area.
Members from left to right:
David Lurey – vocals, guitar
Andrea Sanguine – stand up bass, backing vocals
Joe Rizzo- guitar, vocals
Francis Mounge – banjo, mandolin, vocals
1993-1996 Plastic Feedback was a San Francisco based band which I was co-singer/songwriter/guitarist. We primarily wrote all our own music which was a cross between psychedelic classic rock with more of a modern feel. We played approximately 2 to 4 times a month at clubs in San Francisco and the surrounding area. We recorded a full length cd which received a positive review in the nationally distributed “Relix” magazine.
Members from left to right:
Nick Balthasar – bass guitar, backing vocals
Jeffrey Gordon – guitar, vocals
Anthony Flores – drums
Joe Rizzo- guitar, vocals
Plastic Feedback CDs are still available for direct order.
1990-1991 The Mirror People was a venture into what was at the time considered “alternative” rock. We were a 4 piece band that did covers of such bands as The Cure, The Violent Femmes, Echo & the Bunnymen, Janes Addiction in addition to writing originals.
Members from left to right:
Bruce Flanders – vocals, rhythm guitar
Joe Rizzo – lead and rhythm guitar, vocals
Duane Womack – bass.
Dimitri Zordous – drums
1989-1991 The Syndrome of Swirl was originally a three piece band which formed in Rome, New York. We played a mixture of college radio pop, classic rock and wrote a few originals. We played somewhat regularly at the now defunct ‘Patrick’s Cantina’ on Dominic Street. Bryan Honeywell later performed with the band as second guitarist (not in picture at right).
Members from left to right:
Joe Rizzo – lead and rhythm guitar, vocals.
Jim Grogan – drums, backing vocals.
Seb Dominico – vocals, bass guitar.
1988-1989 Radio DJ at WCDB – Held a weekly late night/early morning show on SUNY Albany’s college radio station.
1986-1988 The Flowers formed in Rome, N.Y. when I was 19. We were a 4 piece band who rehearsed and held gigs in a large warehouse at 1212 East Dominic Street. I played lead and rhythm guitar and sang a few songs. We played a mixture of college radio pop, classic rock and wrote originals.
Members from left to right:
Joe Rizzo – lead and rhythm guitar, vocals.
Jim Grogan – drums, backing vocals.
John Finn – lead vocals, saxophone.
Chris Pasante – bass guitar, backing vocals.
