Joel Pelletier

Joel Pelletier is an independent musician, composer, luthier, actor and multimedia artist living in Los Angeles, CA. He explores recreations in his painting, music and constructions, with modern and unique takes on existing and classic works and structures. He has performed in his own and other original, cover and tribute bands and projects for over 35 years. As a tribute band musician, he dives deep into the individual musician's music, equipment and character, treating each musical performance as performance art and theatre (and since 2010 specializing in the music of Led Zeppelin as JOHN PAUL JOEL). His songwriting is influenced by both classical and pop music, while his lyrics combine the personal with social and ethical topics. His painting and illustration style combine portrait and realist stuckist styles with surrealism and cartooning, and also deliberately explores and combines styles and works of previous painters, including Ensor, Magritte and Rousseau. As an actor, he has appeared in film, television and online content since 1998, and is a FiCore member of SAG. Raised in Massachusetts, he received a degree in Music Composition from The Hartt School of Music at The University of Hartford, while also studying at the Hartford Art School and playing in rock bands at night. In Los Angeles since 1988, he has been a vocalist, bassist, guitarist, keyboardist/pianist, Chapman Stick player, mandolinist, composer, arranger and musical director for many bands and ensembles, including his own.