Joe Poston had a strange career. A decent altoist with a fine tone, Poston is most famous for the period that he spent as a member of Jimmie Noone's Apex Club Orchestra from 1928-30. Although the band was a two-horn sextet (with Earl Hines on piano), Poston never really soloed. His role was to constantly play the melody behind Noone, both in ensembles and during Noone's clarinet solos. Before joining that band, Poston had worked with Doc Cook from 1922-24 and in 1927, and on riverboats with Fate Marable. After leaving Noone (his replacement, in a similar role, was Ed Pollack), Poston played with Cook for a third period before retiring from music due to worsening health, spending his last eight years in a sanitarium. Poston never led his own record date, but he can be heard on records by Cook and Noone. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
