Joe Deninzon

Joe Deninzon has been hailed by critics as “The Jimi Hendrix of the Violin,” because of his innovative style on the “Viper” seven-string electric violin.

In 2023, he joined the legendary rock band Kansas as their violinist, rhythm guitarist, and backup vocalist. Joe is also the lead singer and violinist for the progressive rock band, Stratospheerius, which has toured extensively and in 2024, released their 6th studio album, “Impostor!” to critical acclaim.

Joe has performed and/or recorded with the Who, Bruce Springsteen, 50 Cent, Sheryl Crow, Ritchie Blackmore, Alex Skolnick, Smokey Robinson, Les Paul, Peter Criss (KISS), Michael Sadler (Saga), Renaissance, Kurt Elling, and as a soloist with Jazz at Lincoln Center and the New York City Ballet.

He can be heard on over a hundred albums and jingles as a violinist and string arranger. A BMI Composer’s Grant recipient and winner of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, he has composed solo and chamber works for many artists, including violinist Rachel Barton Pine, and in 2015, premiered his Electric Violin Concerto with the Muncie Symphony Orchestra.

Joe has also worked with the Sweet Plantain String Quartet, which combines Latin Jazz with hip-hop and Classical music, and has toured throughout Europe and the U.S.

A passionate educator, in 2007, Joe co-founded the Grand Canyon School of Rock, an annual music program for local high school students in Northern Arizona. Joe was a faculty member at the New Jersey City University Multi-Style Strings Program. He has traveled worldwide as a clinician. In 2012, Mel Bay published Joe’s book, “Plugging In.” Joe has taught electric string techniques at the Mark Wood Rock Orchestra Camp, Mark O’Connor String Camp, “Strings Without Boundaries,” and “Fiddle Hell,” and has presented multiple workshops at the American String Teachers National Conference.

Chris Haigh’s book, “Discovering Rock Violin,” lists one of Joe’s recorded solos among the “Top 20 greatest rock violin solos of all time.”

Joe holds a Bachelors degree in Violin Performance from Indiana University and a Masters in Jazz Violin from Manhattan School of music.