Joe Puma born 13 August 1927

Joe Puma (August 13, 1927 – May 31, 2000) was an American jazz guitarist who had a steady if low-profile career, uplifting many sessions without getting famous himself. 

Joseph J. Puma was born in the Bronx, New York. He began his working life as an aircraft mechanic in the army in 1944, and then became a draughtsman in New York, but might have guessed that he was destined to be a guitarist. His father was both a player and a maker of guitars, and his two brothers also played the instrument. 

Inspired by the example of the gypsy guitar genius Django Reinhardt, he had taught himself to play as a youngster, but it was hearing Charlie Parker in 1947 which finally provided the inspiration for a career switch. He joined the Musicians' Union in 1948, and never looked back. He focused on perfecting his skills and surviving as a freelance musician. His first major job was with vibraphonist Joe Roland (1949-1950). In the 1950s Puma appeared on many recording sessions including with Roland, Louie Bellson, Artie Shaw & His Gramercy Five (1954), Eddie Bert, Herbie Mann, Mat Mathews, Chris Connor, and Paul Quinichette. In 1957 he won the New Star Award for Guitar from Metronome Magazine. 

                            Here’s “Loris” from above 1954 LP

                              

Puma will also be best remembered for his 1961 collaboration with producer Eddie Hall and Dick Hyman’s “Like Tweet. Like Tweet.” This album started with not much more than a collection of bird calls and Hall's idea that they might be turned into the basis of a series of jazz tunes. Hall and Hyman took each call, picked out a melody or motif from it, then built a whole combo arrangement around it, featuring Puma's guitar as the centrepiece and chief special effects generator. 

Puma was seemingly everywhere during that era. He accompanied Morgana King for two years and in the 1960s recorded with Bobby Hackett, Gary Burton (1964), and Carmen McRae, among many others. During 1972-1977 he co-led a duo with fellow guitarist Chuck Wayne, later became a teacher, and remained musically active on a part-time basis into the late '90s. 

Joe Puma led recording dates of his own for Bethlehem, Dawn, Jubilee, Columbia, and Reservoir. His last album as a leader, It's a Blue World, was recorded in 1997 and released in 1999 on Euphoria Jazz. He also appeared on the Warren Vaché CD What Is There to Say?, recorded in 1999 and released the following year on Nagel Heyer. 

Joe Puma died from cancer in New York City on May 31, 2000; he was 72 years old. 

(Edited from AllMusic, Space Age Pop & Wikipedia)