Joel Zoss
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Joel R. Zoss (born February 19, 1944, Easton, Pennsylvania) is an American singer, guitarist, songwriter and award-winning prose author.
Biography
Early years
At the age of four Zoss moved to
From the age of about ten, the family returned every summer to
In the fall of 1966 Zoss began graduate studies in physical anthropology at
Prose and music
Zoss' professional life has always balanced between prose and music, sometimes weighted heavily to one or the other, as during the 1980s into the 1990s, when he authored or co-authored over twenty five non-fiction books.
A versatile musician known for mixing metaphysical themes with strong melodies, Zoss gained a worldwide cult following after
Debut album
Early in the 1970s Zoss performed at Passim (
Reviews
American dream songs called in long-distance from an area code as yet unspecified.—Rolling Stone
He has an uncanny knack for conjuring up gorgeous images that tap the most complex of human emotions. —Honolulu Times
A unique personality, with all the magic and mystery and mischievousness of the classic troubadour. The melodies will haunt you. His lyrics are first-rate poetry.—The Village Voice
It was a treat to see Zoss perform old blues numbers and songs from his forthcoming album…the audience was sent back out into the warm night knowing they had witnessed something special.—Dirty Linen
Performing and recording
Zoss has performed and recorded with many artists including
During 2008 and 2009 Zoss appeared frequently with B.B. King in theaters across the United States.
As a solo performer and with his trio, Zoss, who also plays gimbri and oud, performs original compositions and occasionally adds traditional pieces such as those by
Since 1994 Zoss has been the annual recipient of a Special Music Award from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. His 2008 album, Lila, was produced by June Millington, leader of the all-female rock band Fanny.[7]
Lila
Lila, released in 2008 on Zoss’ Catalan label, has thirteen tracks, all but one of which are original compositions. The exception is "Oh, Babe It Ain't No Lie" (Elizabeth Cotten). "Sarah's Song," was also on his earlier Arista album. The other eleven tracks were: "Oh, Jerusalem;" "Pushing the River;" "Mother Wanted You Home;" "Cantina Bodega;" "Till I Met You;" "Pretty Flowers;" "Touchstone;" "In My Dreams;" "The Token;" "Junkers Blues;" and "‘Tis of Thee."
Discography
- Joel Zoss (1975) Arista
- Lila (2008) Catalan
- "Florida Blues" (2015) Bluzpik
Selected bibliography
Author or co-author
- Diamonds in the Rough: The Untold History of Baseball (revised edition with an epilogue by the authors, with John S. Bowman), Bison Books/University of Nebraska Press, 2004.
- The Pictorial History of Baseball (revised edition, with John S. Bowman), Thunder Bay Press, World Publications Group, 2002.
- The Nixons of Westfield and Ireland, Modern Memoirs, 1999.
- Diamonds in the Rough: The Untold History of Baseball, (revised edition, with John S. Bowman), Contemporary Books, 1996.
- The History of Major League Baseball, (with John S. Bowman) Random House, 1992.
- Diamonds in the Rough: The Untold History of Baseball, (with John S. Bowman) Macmillan, 1989.
- Illustrated History of Baseball, (pseudonymously as Alex Chadwick), Crown, 1988.
- Greatest Moments in Baseball, Exeter, 1987.
- Texas, Bison Books, 1986.
- The Pictorial History of Baseball, (with John S. Bowman), W.H. Smith, 1986.
- The American League, (with John S. Bowman), Bison, 1986.
- The National League, (with John S. Bowman), W.H. Smith, 1986.
- Chronicle, A novel: Simon & Schuster, 1980.[2]
Contributor or editor
- New Worlds: An Anthology (Edited by Michael Moorcock), 2004. Fiction, “The Valve Transcript.”
- Modern Social Theory: Roots and Branches, Roxbury Press, 1999.
- Questioning the Media, Sage Publications, 1995.
- American Journey: Westward Expansion (CD-ROM), Research Publications International, 1995.
- Cambridge Dictionary of American Biography, Cambridge University Press, 1995.
- Who's Who in African-American History, Smithmark, 1994.
- On the Vineyard II, Simon Press, 1990. Fiction: "A Floating World."
- The World Almanac Who's Who of Film, World Almanac, 1987.
- Great Generals of the American Civil War and their Battles, Hamlyn (England), 1986.
- New England, Longmeadow Press, 1986.
- History of the U.S. Cavalry, Hamlyn (England), 1985.
- American Furniture, Exeter, 1985.
- The Vietnam War: An Almanac, World Almanac, 1985.
- The Twentieth Century: An Almanac, World Almanac, 1984.
- Works in Progress #2, Doubleday, 1971.[2]
Periodicals
- Integrative Medicine Communications (IMC), Article: “Ulcerative Colitis,” 1999.
- Currents, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), Fall 1996. Article: “Fields of Dreams” (self-replenishing oil fields).
- Currents, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), Fall 1995. Article: “Summer Fellows by the Sea (summer student fellowship program.
- The Beat, Vol. 14 No. 3, 1995. Lyric: “Bob Marley International.”
- Currents, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), spring 1995. Article: "A Box of Sound" (marine seismology).
- Rhythms, spring, 1992. Cover article "James Taylor: An Exclusive Interview."
- Rhythms, winter, 1991. "The Writers Behind the Stars."
- Fiction: "The Valve Transcript," PEN short story competition winner, 1985, syndicated nationally.
- New Worlds Number 216 (London, England), September 1979. Fiction: "Flat Face of the Flowering Wood."
- New Worlds, edited by Michael Moorcock (London, England), 1968. Fiction: "The New Agent."[2]