It was at school during Black History Month where Joel heard the musical sound that would change his life, “I first heard ragtime at music class. It was like a window opening.” With a growing passion, Joel soaked up a steady influence of jazz greats like Oscar Peterson and Art Tatum. After graduating the Baltimore School for the Arts high school, Joel attended the acclaimed Peabody Conservatory of Music at John Hopkins University. He gained popularity with his fellow students playing impressi...