Joey Stempien (b. 2004) hails from Rochester, NY, where he has established himself an emerging young voice in jazz and contemporary composition. Having published his first original work for big band at age 17, his unique and visceral affinities for melody and soundscape continue to allure audiences wherever his music is heard. His compositions have been brought to life by the talents of the US Navy Commodores, Eastman Jazz Ensemble, and US Army Field Band Jazz Ambassadors, among others. He has been commissioned to write original works for school ensembles and consortiums and has taken on work as a video-game composer.
Stempien frequently serves as a clinician, working with middle and high schools, universities, and community ensembles. His diverse experience includes conducting the Eastman Music Educators' Wind Ensemble, performing with GRAMMY-nominated smooth-jazz artist Jimmie Highsmith Jr., and serving as a pianist and multi-instrumentalist for jazz groups, church services, and pit orchestras. He was named the winner of the Midwest Clinic’s 2025 Barbara Buehlman Prize in Composition for his wind ensemble work Montréal at Night.
While pursuing his B.A. in Music and B.S in Environmental Science at the University of Rochester, he helms the Joey Stempien Big Band, a professional collective of young up-and-coming musicians performing his original music. His original works for wind ensemble and big band are available through C. Alan Publications.
“Joey is a gifted and prolific composer of large jazz ensemble charts... high energy, tuneful, groove-oriented and stylistically diverse music.”
“Joey Stempien is a beacon of originality in the landscape of band music. His compositions are refreshing as they combine contemporary ingenuity but are still based on melodic lines that you’ll be humming long after hearing. His music is the kind that musicians crave to play and audiences instantly appreciate. Joey crafts music with precision and creativity to fit any group at any level. He is highly organized, expedient, and extremely adaptable to any musical need.”