Joe Putjenter

Joe is the drummer, lead singer and founding member of Blue House.

The idea of Blue House came about over some drinks with my friend Joel Bute, who was Blue House’s first bass player. We asked Jon Novak to join and he brought along John Wolcott to form the original line up for Blue House. Joel came up with the name, and although I never intended to sing, I ended up singing most of the songs.

Eventually, some horn players started showing up consistently at a weekly jam, and Jon started writing charts. The charts brought in some of the best players in the region, and the Rent to Own Horns were formed.

My main musical influences have been Taj Mahal, Billy Cobham, Maurice White, Willie Dixon, Chick Corea, Joe Zawinul, Paul McCartney, Mark Pellegrino and anything from Staxx and Motown.

Other than the many national acts with whom Blue House has had the opportunity to share the stage, I have been lucky enough to have played with the late great Dizzy Gellespie, Joe Bonamassa, the late great Son Seals and Mato Nanji of Indigenous.

Blue House is more than a just musical adventure for me, it’s family and friends.
That includes not just the members of the band, but the multitudes of fans we have come to know over the years.