TYBEE BEACHCOMBER | JUNE 2018 19
Go Local Music Profile By Alaina Loughridge - Photo by Wen McNally
JOE JARKA
Joe Jarka, a native of Syracuse, NY, started his music
career like many others: Piano lessons at age 7. Keeping
up with those throughout his formative years led to pick up
garage bands, then on to ‘They’re Really Gonna Pay Us to
Play” bands, which during the 80’s, was a one-way path to
spandex, eye liner, and aqua net! Aspiring rock star in the
making.
In 1994, Joe decided to head south for a warmer
climate and thus Savannah, GA became home. The party
band Double Down was formed soon after and became a
mainstay in Savannah’s music scene for many years. It was
during this time on a vacation in Denver, CO that Joe had his
first experience seeing a dueling piano show. Immediately
fascinated, he began incorporating some of those ideas into
his own performances.
In 2000, Joe was hired to play at a brand-new establishment
in downtown Savannah as one of their featured dueling
piano players. This was a fantastic opportunity and for over
15 years Joe honed his craft alongside some of the most
talented and creative people in show business.
Joe currently calls Tybee Island home and travels the
world playing his laid-back style of cover songs, which is
backed by his own piano playing, along with an occasional
kazoo riff and a drummer if needed. I had a chance to check
out Joe at Flying Fish and was pleasantly surprised at what
a mellow, family appropriate good time was had by all. Joe
has excellent range and will happily take requests, which
appeals to everyone with a heartbeat.
That having been said, I must say my favorite part of this
Joe Jarka phenomena is when he plays on the Breezy Bus
on a weekend night. You call a taxi to get your squad from
Point A to Point B, but who’s to say you can’t rock out while
you do it? So, you climb on the bus and do a double take
of ‘what the …?” And then promptly think, “Oh hell yeah!”
Joe will have you bobbing your head and tapping your toes
before you even grab a seat!
Oh, and did I mention the dueling pianos? If you have
never seen this before, put it on your bucket list! Dueling
pianos is just like it sounds: two guys/girls/each with their
own piano, talking shit and bringing the crowd in to join the
trash talk and festivities and great music! Totally interactive
and such a good time! Yep ... Joe does that too!
Joe is available for hire around the planet. He has played
weddings, cruise ships, private parties, birthday parties, taxi
buses and anything else you can think of. Good times right
there. Bring your friends and let’s party Jarka style! Feel free to call Joe at (912) 398-9885 or reach out to him via Facebook. It really isn’t a party until
Joe gets to jammin.