Raised in St. Louis, Joseph Friedman began studying guitar at age ten and was performing and recording locally by the age of thirteen. Joseph studied at the Interlochen Arts Academy, receiving formal training from guitarist Bob Ferrazza. During this time Joseph performed with artists such as Eddie Daniels and Norman Simmons.
In 1994 Joseph began study at the Oberlin College and Conservatory of Music where he was awarded the Dean's Talent Scholarship. At Oberlin, Joseph continued formal studies with Bob Ferrazza in addition to Wendell Logan, Donald Walden, Neal Creque, Greg Bandy, Robin Eubanks, Peter Dominguez and Jimmy Ponder. Joseph has also studied with Rodney Jones and Paul Bollenback.
Joseph has shared the stage with Eartha Kitt, Fred Wesley, Frida Payne, Bobby Caldwell, Javon Jackson, Cyrus Chestnut, George Benson, Ruth Brown, Lillias White, The Rockettes, Mackenzie Phillips, Barry Williams, Adrian Zmed, Joyce Dewitt, Martin Charnin, Alfred Boe, Keith Levinson, Robin Skye, James McBride, Jay Leonhart, Vanessa Rubin, Winard Harper, Greg Hutchinson, Ben Wolfe, Allen Harris, Sam Yahel, Mike LeDonne, Curtis Lundy, Anthony Wonsey, Marcus Belgrave, Deanna Storey, Donald Walden, Greg Bandy, Robin Eubanks, John Pisano, Allen Harris, Wendell Logan, David Fanshawe, Robert Harris, and many others.
Joseph has also performed for broadway shows "The Lion King", "GREASE", “The Full Montyâ€, and “Ministry of Progressâ€.
Currently Joseph resides in New York City and can be seen on tour with jazz/cabaret legend Eartha Kitt. Since moving to New York, Joseph has appeared in the Carnegie Hall performance "African Sanctus" written by David Fanshawe and conducted by Robert Harris. He has also appeared at Birdland in George Benson's "Tribute to Jack McDuff". He has recorded and collaborated with remixers The Orange Factory and Jason Nevins on tracks for Britney Spears, The Backstreet Boys, Elliot Yamin, Justin Timberlake, Beyonce, Christina Milian, Celine Dion, Leona Lewis, Jordin Sparks, Kimberly Locke, High School Musical 2, Fergie, NKOTB, Micheal Jackson, David Archuletta, iCarly, Chris Brown, Ryan Cabrera, Jermaine Dupree, Katy Perry, Donna Summers, Yoko Ono, Kelly Clarkson, Fall Out Boy, and Nascar. You can hear Joe on the latest release by Def Jam artist Karina Pasion. Joe also made an appearance on last years season of “Love Monkey†(CBS tuesdays) featuring Jason Priestley, Tom Cavanaugh, Eric Bogosian, and Terence Mann. Joseph Friedman endorses Kiso guitars.