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Carl Filipiak started playing guitar in the 60’s, at the beginning of Beatlemania and soon afterwards discovered Pat Martino and George Benson. His entrance into the world of jazz came through studying with Buddy Rich’s guitarist Walt Namuth and Baltimore great, Larry Wooldridge.  Jazziz Magazinehas included him among a renowned list of guitar players in their nominations for “New Fusion Blood,” and JazzTimes calls him “a dazzlingly versatile guitarist.”

Over the years Carl has recorded and performed with such prominent musicians as Dennis Chambers, Victor Wooten, and Grammy nominee Bob Berg. His recordings have been reviewed in Billboard, Guitar Player, Jazz Times and Jazziz Magazine and his music has been featured in televised events for NBC Sports, Turner Broadcasting and the Olympics. His songs have also made it to the top of the RMR Top 50 Jazz Albums and the NACC Top 30 Jazz Charts.

His diversity and love of all genres finds him in various musical endeavors, from recording at Abbey Road Studios to being a member of the unclassifiable music of Lafayette Gilchrist and the New Volcanoes (HBO series – The Wire).  He is the author of “Rock-Fusion Improvising” for Mel Bay Publications and a contributing author on jazz guitar in “Guitar – A Complete Guide for the Player” from Balafon Books UK.

His recordings are on Art of Life Records and he is an artist and member of the Benedetto Guitar family.