Bio Page

Joe is arguably the worlds’ foremost authority on nearly all aspects of the diatonic harmonica, and he is one of it’s most respected players and teachers. He IS the world’s most respected diatonic harp technician and customizer with his work directly affecting countless players and all harmonica manufacturers

His client list includes most of the players from the who’s who list of the harmonica elite. His harps are in the hands of notables from rock, film, and even a former President.

Joe has taught and performed on 5 continents. He was awarded the “Harmonica Player of the Year in 2001 by the SPAH organization. Joe performed at the 2006 Country Music Hall of Fame, Medallion Ceremony for the induction of DeFord Bailey.

Documentaries that featured Mr. Filisko include: “Harmonica Summit,” Imagination is Limitless,”  “In the Reeds,” “Tin Sandwich” and Pocketful of Soul”.

Described as the Johnny Appleseed of the harmonica, Joe has had a tremendous influence on the culture of the harmonica world over the last 20 years.  

 

 

More pages:

Quotes

Press (reconstructing)

Photos

Interviews

"Sickos Unite" by Cathi Norton, 1996: pdf. or web

"In Tune" by Cathi Norton, 2001: pdf. or web

Interview by Ludo Beckers for Overblow.com, 2003:
pdf. or
 web

Interview by Dave Carelli for HarmonicaSessions.com, 2004: pdf.

Russian translation of HarmonicaSessions.com interview on Harmonica.ru

"Easy Reeding" Hohner magazine, July 2009
"The Biggest Marine Band Fan in the World: A Portrait of Joe Filisko" by Andy Garrigue

Events of Note where Joe has taught and performed:

Harmonica Masters Workshops Germany

Augusta Heritage Festivals "Blues Week

EBA
Euro Blues Association, UK

The World Harmonica Festivals

"SPAH Harmonica Festivals

les Harmonicales, France

Eslov Blues Festival, Sweden

Trossinger Blues-Fabrik (Germany)

Schorndorfer Gitarrentage, Germany

WFMT FM "Folkstage"

Paramount Blues Festivals

Asia Pacific Harmonica Festival

35th Annual San Francisco Blues Festival

Buckeye Harmonica Festivals

Jon Gindick's Harmonica Jam Camp

Bean Blossom Blues Fests

Centrum'sPort Townsend Country Blues Workshops

Mark Hummel's Blues Harmonica Blowout

Chicago Blues Fest

Fitzgerald's American Music Festival

Mississippi Valley Blues Festival

Spring Blues Festival, Belgium

Sibelius Academy, Finland

Heart of the South Harmonica Festival Birmingham, AL

BP Jazz Club, Croatia Amanda's Rollercoaster David Barrett's Harmonica Masterclasses

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