Joel Mabus


Joel Mabus is a longtime fixture on the American folk music scene. Joel has toured the major folk music clubs and festivals all over North America, and has taught classes in guitar and songwriting at Puget Sound Guitar Workshop, California Coast Music Camp, Boston’s SAMW, and many others. Born in Southern Illinois, he makes his home in Kalamazoo County, Michigan.

  • “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. “Cornell Folk Song Society

     

  • “Joel Mabus is the Joe DiMaggio of the folk music world – a virtuoso who can make the toughest plays appear effortless.”
    Ron Olesko of WFDU-FM (Fordham University, NYC)

     

  • “Joel Mabus — what a player! And a great songwriter, and another guy that can walk out there with just a guitar and hold an audience. And I love that about him.”
    Jeff Daniels, actor & singer-songwriter

     

  • Named to the Detroit Metro Music Awards Hall of Fame in the year 2000
    (with Aretha Franklin, Earl Klugh, John Lee Hooker & others)


In his long recording career, each of Joel’s 28 albums is a unique project, reflecting his varied interests and talents.  His most recent are Lonesome Road – Songs of the Lost Generation (2025) & Time & Truth (2019),