Joe Strachan - piano
Though young, Joe Strachan is already a established pianist in the Twin Cities area.  In addition to Charanga Tropical, Joe performs with the Twin Cities Latin Jazz Orchestra, Adam Meckler Orchestra, the Pete Whitman X-tet, the Jake Baldwin Quartet, and many other groups.  Also a composer and arranger, his compositions has been featured with Big Cats!, Adam Meckler Orchestra, and outstanding jazz quartet Courageous Endeavors.  

In 2009 Joe won the prestigious Schubert Club Jazz Piano Competition.  Also that year he was also a member of the Minnesota Youth Jazz Ensemble which toured Europe performing at the Montreux Jazz Festival as well as venues in France, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.
 
Joe attended Lawrence University for a year during which time he performed with Bobby Mcferrin as part of a guest artist concert that featured works by composer Fred Sturm.  Joe concluded his studies at the University of Minnesota where he performed with the top jazz ensemble.  During this time he also began working with ballet and modern dance classes, a collaboration that fruitfully continues.
 
In the Twin Cities Joe has performed at virtually every venue of note including First Avenue, The Dakota Jazz Club, Artists Quarter, Studio Z, Icehouse, Macphail Center for Music, and the Twin Cities Jazz Festival.  Beyond Latin music and jazz Joe has provided music for community theater productions, numerous ballet and modern dance classes, a 16-piece live hip-hop band, and theater installations.