I’ve been busy as in 30 gigs a month busy. No free time, but have two new recordings coming out on Unseen Rain records recorded in NJ late May. Otherwise many many great musical experiences and endeavors in progress. Be happy and well — your friend Joel

e-mail joelshapira@msn.com / text: 651-235-1829

Hope you are well. Winter is always a challenge in MN, but we are getting through it with many great gigs and projects. Look for new recordings down the road, and alot of gigs all over town.

It's been a great year and 2018 looks promising. If I don't update my gig calendar, it's due to being so busy I don't have time, apologies.

My solo guitar recording ‘In Essence’ is now available everywhere as digital downloads. The video I submitted to Vintage Guitar magazine in conjunction with my upcoming feature piece, is at 27.4k views. That’s about 25k more than my previous most watched video. 😁😁 Many great projects happening including trio 280, and the Sunday open jam at Basement Bar just gets better and better. Absolutely love those Sundays with so many great players showing up to play!!

The good folks at Vintage Guitar Magazine have been so supportive of my career and projects. After a very nice review of ‘In Essence’, they have posted a video I made for
them on their website, and on their FB page. After less than a day, it already has around 20,000 views. Please check it out here .

As time permits, and as my admin skills increase, I'll continue making updates and enhancing site info and images. I've added some shows, have some videos up, and generally things are coming together.

This is the first blog on my new website. For the first time I’m able to do some content admin, so I’ll keep updating things

I’ll also be using this blog to talk about projects, gigs, music and the business. Thanks for checking things out. 😀