Bamby was born in York as the son of Thomas Bamby, the organist. Joseph was choir boy at the Cathedral from York. At the age of seven, he was educated at the Royal Academy of Music under Cipriani Potter and Charles Lucas. In 1862 he was appointed as organist of St. Andrews, Wells Street. In 1864 he was the director of ''Barnby's Choir and in 1871 was appointed, in succession to Charles Gounod, conductor of the Royal Albert Hall Choral Society, a post he held until his death. In 1875 he was choirmaster/organist and director of music at Eton College and in 1892 becam principal of the Guilhall School of Music, receiving the honor of knighthood in July of the that year. His works include an oratoria Rebekah, The Lord is King (97th Psalm), many services and anthems and 246 choral melodies (published in 1897 in one volume) as well as several pieces (among them the popular Sweet and Low) and some pieces for the pipe organ. He conducted the Cardiff Festivals of 1892 and 1895. He died in London and after a special service in St. Paul's Cathedral was buried in West Norwood Cemetery.