He was born in New York City to Italian immigrants and began his musical career as organist and choir director at the Star of the Sea Church on City Island in New York at age 14.
He was born in New York City to Italian immigrants; the spelling "Gioio" was later anglicized to "Joio". He began his musical career as organist and choir director at the Star of the Sea Church on City Island in New York at age 14.