Bio Section

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. 

Joe has been teaching professionally at the highest level since 1992.  His knowledge mainly comes from countless hours of the study and transcribing of old recordings of the best players that ever lived, mainly from 1924-1964. Finding commonality in these great recordings led him to create the Filisko Method of playing traditional styles with a special emphasis on using tongue blocking to get the biggest and bluesiest sounds possible out of the harp. Joe also consults with clients from his customizing business who are many of the best living players in the world.

Consulted on "What Did You Hear? The Music of Bob Dylan" by Steven Rings. Joe was honored to consult on the subject of harmonica  in the book (2025).

Included in the book "Amazing Grace" by Mikael Bachman in his chapter where he draws on "performances by three leading players, Joe Filisko, Buddy Greene, and Howard Levy, revealing how the combination of bending and playing in different positions has enabled multiple different explorations of the tune."(2025) 

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

Contributor for Routledge "Encyclopedia of the Blues”  by Eduard Komara. Joe authored the “Blues Harmonica” entry for the Routledge 2-Volume book set (2005).

Joe is arguably the world's foremost authority on nearly all aspects of the diatonic harmonica, and he is one of its 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.  Most of the best customizers today were influenced directly by Joe and his work.

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 blues, country, rock, film, and even a former President of the United States.