Joel Mabus

Joel Mabus is a longtime fixture in the American folk music scene. He’s a songwriter with roots deep in tradition, and a risk-taking multi-instrumentalist with a well-travelled voice. He’s toured the major folk clubs and festivals all over North America but is firmly centered in the Midwest.

Beginning a recording career in 1978, Joel has traveled all over the United States (and parts of Texas, he adds) performing for folk societies, festivals, art houses, music camps, square dances, contradances and churches.  Teaching instrument & songwriting workshops is part of the mix, too.

He has 27 solo albums to his credit (some featuring songwriting, others focusing on traditional guitar or banjo, and some very eclectic), along with studio work as side musician. His latest album is Time & Truth in 2019.

Where is he from?  Smalltown Illinois & Mississippi River: 105 miles southeast of Mark Twain, 190 miles northwest of Bill Monroe, 110 miles southwest of Burl Ives and just over the river and up the hill from Scott Joplin.   That’s where Joel Mabus is from.  He lives in Kalamazoo, Michigan now.

Cornell Folk Song Society wrote: “Joel Mabus is a free-ranging fretboard genius and funny, deep songwriter whose warm voice, sly humor, and musicianship sweep audiences along for the ride… in a gentle, easy manner, he may lull his audience into a relaxed state, then roll them on the floor with laughter or make them sit up and think.”