The spotlight was first cast on Joe Quarterman in the early 1960s in Washington, DC, and he has quite the story to tell in words and in music of life in the District. With the help of ESL Music, Will Rast and the Funk Ark, “Sir Joe” makes a new splash this Saturday, May 12, at The Hamilton. The show also features Thievery Corporation saxophonist, Frank Mitchell, Jr.
I caught up with him over the phone, minutes before boarding a plane to Manchester, England where he was scheduled to play with Osaka Monaurail, a Japanese funk band.
“Sir Joe” is a busy man and his not making a comeback, per se. He’s being introduced to a new generation.
How did it all begin for you, Joe?
I had no formal training, just experience from being around various artists. I’d been playing professional trumpet since I was 16, and I played with a local band from Washington, DC called the El Corals and we backed up many acts that came to the DC. We played with Otis Redding, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, Gladys Knight and the Pips… anybody who was performing during 1961 to about 1970 when I left the band.
How’d you keep up with all those acts?
We had discussions in the dressing room and rehearsal. You do what you can. You just pick up stuff, you know?
You’re not just Joe Quarterman, you’re Sir Joe Quarterman. How’d you get “knighted?”
The “Sir” came from a group that I sang with called “The Knights” and we all had prefixes in our names. I was “Sir Joe.” The bass singer was “Sir Walter.” We had a tenor who was a “Lord” and [another member] who was a “Count.”
“Sir” stuck because I enjoyed being addressed as “Sir.”
How serious was your rivalry with competing band Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers?
We were friends but we were rivals, too. Chuck was more Go Go and I was pretty much R&B. So, it gave audiences some selection. But Chuck also played Top 40. It was the late ’60s, early ’70s. We used to play a Battle of the Bands that was sponsored by a local Wasington radio station.
Do you think you music sounded better on vinyl or CD?
My music sounded better on vinyl than it ever did on CD. Especially, the hit record I had, “(I Got) So Much Trouble in My Mind.” When that song came out, it was mixed and mastered for vinyl. Real hot, deep grooves, you know?
Your song “(I Got) So Much Trouble in My Mind” was featured in a video game and well as a breakbeat remix. Do you think this type of showcase is the ultimate flattery?
[Chuckles] I’ve had kids, 9 through 12, asking me if I was Joe Quarterman because they heard my song on their game. What this does is open my music to a new audience, younger audiences.
In the words of LL Cool J, “Don’t call it a comeback!” But if you could identify a “great” musical comeback what would your favorite be?
In the summer of 2007, Sting, Stewart Copeland, and Andy Summers reunited as The Police to kick off their successful comeback tour. Tell us yours in the comments below for a chance to win the 7” above from the The Funk Ark, “Funky DC.”
We’ll choose one winner with a North American mailing address next Thursday, 5/17!
