An internationally renowned guitarist from Overlea. From his auspicious beginning as a lead singer(!) in a local teen band, and guitarist for numerous local cover bands, Carl emerged as an internationally recognized jazz-fusion guitarist. Carl performed in a number of Baltimore bands beginning in the late ‘60s including the Chaumonts, Brass Lamp, Sawbuck, Jake, Monopoly, Rock Island Express, Paper Cup. Even as a pop / rock musician for all those years, Carl always had a passion for jazz music. In the ‘80s he tired of the Top-40 circuit and decided to strike out with his own compositions and style.
In 1981 Carl’s song “Thinking of You” was included on WKTK’s “Maryland Music ‘81” album.
Carl has become an accomplished performer, writer, and producer. He has toured and / or recorded with many great musicians including members of Miles Davis (Bob Berg, Gary Thomas), Steely Dan, Brecker Brothers, John McLaughlin, Dennis Chambers, Bela Fleck & the Flecktones (Victor Wooten), Living Color (Will Calhoun), Spyro Gyra (Scott Ambush), and many others. Carl produced and wrote music for Dennis Chambers CD “Big City.” In 1986 Carl and local bassist Michael Sciuto were winners of the national Marshall Sunn Solo Contest. Carl played guitar on 1989 Michael Fath album “Shake.”
In the ‘00s Carl continued as a phenomenal guitarist fronting his own jazz fusion group and backed by some of the finest musicians in the area. They could be seen performing locally at the Bayou Blues Cafe, Fells Point clubs, Rams Head, Avalon Theater (Easton), the Artscape festival, Blues Alley (D.C.), Recher Theater, The Bayou (D.C), Eight by Ten, Carter Baron Amphitheater, State Theater (Virginia), Columbia Lakefront Festival, Mid-Atlantic Music & Arts Festival (Timonium), Western Maryland Blues Festival (Hagerstown)…
When not performing Carl taught guitar at his studio. In 2001 he released a self-produced instructional guitar video titled “Use What You Got” and he continued to offer specialized master classes in support of the video. Carl also published an instructional book and companion CD for Mel Bay Publications. He is also an endorser and clinician for Fender Guitars.
The following photos courtesy of Carl Filipiak –
Described by JazzTimes as “a dazzlingly versatile guitarist,” Carl also garnered reviews in 20th Century Guitar, Billboard, Guitar Player, Guitar World… Awards include “Best Jazz Instrumentalist” (WAMA), “Best Guitarist” (Baltimore Magazine), “Best Jazz Musician” (City Paper).
Carl’s recordings have been featured on several television events including the Olympics. His records are available worldwide and include the following releases on Geometric Records including “Looking Forward Looking Back” with Paul Soroka (sax), Jay Dulaney (bass), and drum sessions by John Thomakos and Dennis Chambers.
Additional players on Carl’s albums include bassists George Schroeder, Jimmy Charlsen, Gary Grainger, Terry Battle,, drummers/percussionists Mike Kanter, Greg Grainger, Larry Bright, George Gray, Victor Williams, Rod Daniels, saxophonists Paul Hannah, Bob Berg, Dave Fairall.
Carl and the Jimi Jazz Band featured Soroka, Thomakos, Chambers, and bass guitarist Steve Zerlin.
1993 Geo-917 Right on Time
1994 Geo-1001 Electric Thoughts
199* Geo-213 Blue Entrance
1997 Geo-242 Hotel Real
2000 Geo-246 Peripheral Vision
2001 Geo Big City
2002 Geo-247 Looking Forward, Looking Back
Carl Filipiak and the Jimi Jazz Band:
2007(CD) Art of Life AL1029-2 I Got Your Mantra
Carl’s song “Hotel Real” (title track from his 1997 album) was included on the WTMD 89.7FM compilation “Best of the Breeze, Volume 2.”
