See also Big Joe Turner. (Joseph Vernon Turner ; singer- blues, rock and roll) See also Joe Turner & The Seven Levels. (21st century, Boston, singer & guitarist) Joseph H. Turner (3rd November 1907-21st July 1990) was an American jazz pianist. Born in Baltimore, Turner was first taught piano by his mother when he was five. He moved to New York around 1925 and enjoyed much popularity among musicians in Harlem, working with June Clark (1927-1928), Benny Carter (1929), and Louis Armstrong (1930).