Joe Chambers (born June 25, 1942)^[1] is an American jazz drummer, pianist, vibraphonist and composer. In the 1960s and 1970s, Chambers gigged with many high-profile artists such as Eric Dolphy, Charles Mingus, Wayne Shorter, and Chick Corea and played on several iconic Blue Note albums of the 1960s.^[2] During this period, his compositions were featured on albums by Freddie Hubbard and Bobby Hutcherson.^[2] Chambers has released sixteen albums as a bandleader and was a founding member of Max Roach's M'Boom percussion ensemble.^[3]

He has also taught, including at the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York City, where he led the Outlaw Band.^[4][5][6][7] In 2008, he was hired to be the Thomas S. Kenan Distinguished Professor of Jazz in the Department of Music at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.^[8] He is a retired educator and works as a jazz musician, composer, and leader.^[9]

Joe Chambers was born in Stoneacre, Virginia in 1942.^[10] However, Chambers was mostly raised in Chester, Pennsylvania.^[9] He attended the Philadelphia Conservatory for one year before moving to Washington, DC.^[11] The first instrument he played was the piano before he moved on to playing the vibraphone and drums.^[12] He was inspired by various jazz drummers, such as Max Roach, Philly Joe Jones, and Elvin Jones.^[13]