It's not likely you will find many aspects regarding the current state of the diatonic harmonica that have not been influenced in some way by Joe Filisko. The harmonica is his full time job.

His craftsmanship, musicianship and knowledge of the instrument and all aspects of its history are being acknowledged and praised by the likes of Howard Levy, Kim Wilson, Charlie Musselwhite, Gary Primich, Mickey Raphael, John Hammond, David Barrett, Madcat Ruth, Steve Baker, Mike Stevens, Doc Watson, The National Music Museum, the Harmonikamuseum Trossingen, The Starr-Gennett Records Foundation, The Paramount Blues Festival, The Country Music Hall of Fame, and even the M. Hohner Company.

Joe first came to National attention in July of 1992 with press from the Joliet Herald- News and the Associated Press. In the following months he was featured on Chicago's Channel 7 News as Harry Porterfield's "Someone You Should Know" and received press from the Chicago Tribune.

Joe . .

  • is one of the players featured in the 1998 German film "Imagination is Limitless - Harmonica's Journey Around the World."
     

  • was named "Harmonica Player of the Year" in 2001 by the SPAH organization.
     

  • has compiled the definitive discography on Big Walter Horton, written the "Harmonica" entry for the "Encyclopedia of the Blues," published by Routledge, and has written for Bluegrass Unlimited and the RBS Gazette. 

    Joe was given the honor of performing solo at the 2006 Country Music Hall of Fame Medallion Ceremony for the Induction of DeFord Bailey

    He has taught, performed and judged competitions on three continents for numerous festivals and workshops including:

David Barrett's Harmonica Masterclass

Harmonica Masters Workshop

SPAH Harmonica Festival
The World Harmonica Festival

Fitzgerald's "American Music Festival

les Harmonicales 2007, France
Trossinger Blues-Fabrik (Germany)

Asia Pacific Harmonica Festival

35th Annual San Francisco Blues Festival
Augusta Heritage Festival "Blues Week"
Buckeye Harmonica Festival Eslov Blues Festival, Sweden
Jon Gindick's Harmonica Jam Camp
Bean Blossom Blues Fest Schorndorfer Gitarrentage
Centrum'sPort Townsend Country Blues Workshop
Mark Hummel's Blues Harmonica Blowout Chicago Blues Fest
Mississippi Valley Blues Festival
Paramount Blues Festival WFMT FM "Folkstage"
Sibelius Academy

Joe can be found teaching harmonica every Monday at Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music, besides playing evenings with Eric Noden, The Carl Davis Band, and "On the Mainline" throughout the Chicago area.

QUOTES:

"Joe Filisko's command of the harmonica, especially his mastery of pre-war harmonica styles has few, if any, rivals. He plays to the strengths and unique capabilities of the instrument and employs the full range of tonal colors, trills, flutters, chord rhythms, and other special effects that make his playing so expressive - all in service of the music.  My admiration for his skill and musicianship is boundless." - Jerry Portnoy - Muddy Waters, Eric Clapton

"Joe Filisko is one of my all-time favorite harmonica players. His knowledge of classic blues harmonica styles is literally unparalleled and he plays them with both passion and deep respect." - Steve Baker

" . . . (Joe) can breathe life into the traditional American harp styles like few other players." - Pat Missin, Harmonica World

"Joe Filisko could be the best prewar blues harmonica stylist in the world today." - Dennis Gruenling, Blues Revue

"Thank you Joe, for preserving so many of these all-but-lost harmonica techniques." - Peter Madcat Ruth

"The music world in general, and the harmonica world in particular, are blessed to have Joe Filisko as an active member. As a player of staggering skill and versatility, a passionate teacher, a vastly knowledgeable historian, and an innovative technician, Joe is without peer. He is a constant inspiration to us all." - Grant Dermody

"Joe Filisko is a household name for harp players. He's a professional, one-of-a kind harmonica tuner working for all the great blowers and players of today.. . . . .I would rank him amongst the top ten of blues harp players, worldwide." -Bear Family Records

"Joe's unbelievable command of the harmonica, and thorough knowledge of country blues on the instrument, leaves all other wannabes in the dust of his musical and historical talent." - PT Gazell 

"Joe has spent years studying -- and indeed mastering -- the often overlooked pre-war styles of harpers . . . " - Tom Ball

" . . . Filisko is acknowledged around the world as one of the masters of the diatonic harmonica." - Chuck Wasserburg, Buddy Guy's Legends Blues Letter

"Joe is unquestionably a bad man! (in a good way)" - Rick Estrin - Little Charlie and the Nightcats
 

  
  back to top