About
“Trashcan Joe is a marvel, a wonder that defies categorization in any sort of contemporary setting.”
Don Campbell, The Oregonian
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Trashcanjo n. [trash kan jo] A banjo made out of a trashcan. Ideology based on maximum musical output from recycled minimum input. Coffee brewed in a trash can.
Soaring vocal harmonies and modern song writing set in a soundscape harkening to the early jazz era, Trashcan Joe has a unique sound with a broad appeal. The fact that the instruments are made from recycled and found objects is quickly lost to their stellar musicianship. It’s no wonder they are a steadily working live band and have performed at events such as Pickathon, Burning Man, Oregon Public Broadcasting’s Live Wire, the Northwest Folklife Festival in Seattle , Oregon Country Fair, Rose City Circus Valentines Show at Alberta Rose Theater and More!
Trashcan Joe also has soundtrack work on the resumé. They scored the music for the Aurora award winning OPB special Zig-Zag which explores the stories of several Portland area commuters. Later came the feature motion picture Lipstick and Dynamite, which chronicles the history of women’s wrestling and includes TJoe music as part of the soundtrack. TCJ was well received at NYC’s 2008 Tribeca Film Festival in the film “The Auteur.” Most recently they licensed music for a TV commercial by American Family Insurance.
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Cap’n James Cook – Trashcan Banjo (Trashcanjo), Vocals. Creator of the Trashcanjo, the Trashcan Bass, the Tuborgan, and the Can o’ PA.
Our Beloved Founder.
Jason Wells - Cornet,vocals, zob stick. Lead extrovert. Composer of some of Tjoe’s most memorable songs.
While his cornet isn’t actually made from a trash can, he claims to affect a “trashy style”.
Mike Danner - Accordion, vocals, melodica, tuborgan. Honey-voiced singer. Slick jazz accordionist. Was featured on Oregon Public Broadcasting’s Oregon Art Beat.
Matty Voth - Upright Tub Bass, Vocals. Smooth groove master, high harmony singer, amazing songwriter, and de facto heartthrob of the band.
Jen Forti - Washboard, Vocals. Rhythm Queen. Owner-operator of Bellagram Telegrams, the finest singing telegram service on the planet!
