Joel Cummins

Keyboardist of Umphrey's McGee

What is Joel Cummins known for?

Joel Nathan Cummins, a notable alumni from Lyons Township High School, was born on January 12, 1975, in La Grange, Illinois. Known for his extraordinary talent and contributions to the music world, Cummins is an American musician and songwriter, whose primary instrument is the keyboard, though he also plays the piano and contributes vocals. His musical journey embarked in the year 1997, when he co-founded the progressive rock band Umphrey's McGee.

Exhibiting his mastery over the keyboard and piano, Cummins tours full-time with Umphrey's McGee, delighting audiences at sold-out performances across the United States. Notable venues have included New York's Beacon Theatre, Colorado's Red Rocks Amphitheatre and The Wiltern in Los Angeles, to name a few. They've been regular performers at famous American festivals like Bonnaroo, Austin City Limits Festival, Electric Forest and Summer Camp Music Festival. The band's international appearances have covered Jam in the Dam in Amsterdam, Byron Bay Blues Fest in Australia and Fuji Rock Fest in Japan.

Before forming Umphrey's McGee with Brendan Bayliss, Mike Mirro, and Ryan Stasik in December 1997, Cummins and Mirro were part of the University of Notre Dame's band, Stomper Bob. Having studied classical piano for over 25 years, Cummins usually performs with several keyboards and a grand piano at Umphrey's McGee concerts. His creative prowess resulted in a solo piano album in 1995, titled "Suspended in Time: An Epic", and an electronic keyboard-based album in 2001, named "Common Sense".

Outside of Umphrey's McGee, Cummins stays busy by writing and performing with various other bands, including OHMphrey, Digital Tape Machine, The Everyone Orchestra, Kick the McGee, North Indiana All Stars and Banyan. He has collaborated with a variety of artists, such as Huey Lewis, Joshua Redman, Mavis Staples, Phil Lesh, Buddy Guy, Skrillex, and Robby Krieger of The Doors. Truly, Cummins' contribution to the music world through his keyboard and piano skills are remarkable, and his legacy at Lyons Township High School is undoubtedly impressive.