Joseph Valiante, known professionally as Joe Val, was born on June 25, 1926, in Everett, Massachusetts. He was a bluegrass musician and singer recognized for his mandolin playing and high tenor voice. Inspired by Bill Monroe's radio performances, Val started his musical journey playing guitar before transitioning to banjo and eventually the mandolin. Val played with several bands including The Lilly Brothers & Don Stover. In 1970, he formed Joe Val & The New England Bluegrass Boys, recording their debut album One Morning in May for Rounder Records in 1972. Notable releases from his discography include Bound to Ride (1979) and Cold Wind (1983), both released under Rounder Records. He passed away on June 11, 1985 at the age of 58. He was instrumental in the Boston-area bluegrass boom of the 1960s and was posthumously inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame in 2018.
