What You Need To Know About Joe’s Place

Joe’s Place began as a beloved live music venue in Port Colborne, Ontario, where blues, jazz, and soul music filled the air night after night. For years, it was a haven for music lovers and a launching pad for both emerging and established artists.

When the physical venue closed its doors, the spirit of Joe’s Place didn’t fade—it evolved. What started as a brick-and-mortar club transformed into an online music blog, continuing the mission of celebrating great music and the artists who create it.

Today, Joe’s Place Online is your source for insightful music coverage, focusing on blues, jazz, R&B, soul, rock, and world music. We bring you artist profiles, album and concert reviews, news, opinion pieces, and coverage of live music scenes from around the globe.

Our Mission

We believe that great music deserves great coverage. Our mission is to:

Champion Live Music: Support venues, festivals, and the artists who keep live music thriving
Discover Hidden Gems: Shine a spotlight on underappreciated artists and emerging talent
Celebrate Musical Heritage: Honor the rich history of blues, jazz, and roots music
Foster Community: Connect music lovers with the artists, venues, and events that matter
Maintain Editorial Integrity: Provide honest, thoughtful coverage free from commercial influence

What We Cover

Joe’s Place focuses on music that moves the soul, with special attention to:

Blues: From traditional Delta blues to modern electric blues
Jazz: Bebop, fusion, contemporary, and everything in between
R&B & Soul: Classic soul, funk, and contemporary R&B
Rock: Roots rock, classic rock, and blues rock
World Music: Global sounds that push boundaries
Live Music Scene: Concerts, festivals, venues, and events

Meet Our Team

Joe Ruicci
Founder & Editor
Joe founded the original Joe’s Place venue and continues the legacy online. A lifelong music lover with a particular passion for blues and jazz, Joe brings decades of experience listening to, writing about, and living music. He has opinions on just about everything—and isn’t afraid to express them.

Rico Ferrara
Contributing Writer
Rico is a music historian specializing in American roots music. His deep dives into artists’ careers and musical movements bring historical context and passionate analysis to Joe’s Place. Rico’s writing celebrates the treasure hunt of musical discovery. Rico writes his posts for his Blog “Blues For A Big Town” and generously shares with Joe’s Place.

Steve Obrien
Live Music Reviewer
Steve covers the live music scene with particular focus on jazz and contemporary performances. His concert reviews capture the energy and artistry of live performance, helping readers discover shows worth attending and artists worth following.

Marcus Twine
Album & Book Reviewer
Marcus brings thoughtful analysis to album reviews and music literature. His writing explores how contemporary artists are keeping blues, soul, and funk alive while pushing these genres forward.

Cindy Allingham
Independent Writer
Cindy adds diverse perspectives to Joe’s Place coverage, exploring the connections between music, culture, and community. Her writing helps readers understand music in its broader social context.

Our Editorial Philosophy

At Joe’s Place, we’re committed to honest, independent music journalism. We don’t accept payment for coverage, and our reviews reflect genuine opinions, not promotional material. We celebrate great music when we find it and offer constructive criticism when warranted.

We also believe in context. Music doesn’t exist in a vacuum—it reflects the times, the struggles, and the triumphs of the people who create it. While we keep politics out of our coverage unless it directly relates to music, we recognize that great art often speaks to larger truths.

Get In Touch

Have a story idea? Want to submit an event for our listings? Interested in joining our team of writers? We’d love to hear from you.
Contact: Use our contact form to reach Joe and the team.
Event Submissions: If you have an upcoming concert, festival, or music event you’d like listed, contact us with the details.
Join Our Team: We’re always looking for talented writers who share our passion for music. Learn more about writing for Joe’s Place.