Joe Roland

Joe Roland (May 17, 1920 – October 12, 2009) was an American jazz vibraphonist. He initially trained as a clarinetist at the Institute of Musical Art. However, he transitioned to xylophone in 1940 and later became known for his vibraphone playing. Roland performed in various jazz clubs in New York City during the 1940s, influenced by the emerging bebop movement. In the 1950s, he played with notable artists such as Oscar Pettiford, George Shearing, and Artie Shaw. Roland also recorded as a leader and released albums on labels like Rainbow, Savoy, Seeco, and Bethlehem. In the early sixties, he moved to Miami, Florida, where he remained an influential figure in the local jazz scene.