Love the Music. Chase the Dream.

Chris DePino, born July 10, 1952, in New Haven, Connecticut, is a distinguished blues and jazz harmonica player, music educator, and session musician whose versatile career spans jazz, blues, and classical music. Raised in an Italian-American family DePino’s musical journey began early. Initially drawn to the accordion—a nod to his cultural roots—he soon discovered his true calling with the harmonica, an instrument that would define his career.

DePino’s professional music career took root in 1971, at age 19, while working as a train conductor for the Metro-North Commuter Railroad . During this time, he honed his harmonica skills, playing in blues bands across Connecticut. By 1978, he embraced the chromatic harmonica, a more complex instrument with a sliding key scale, allowing him to explore a broader musical range, from classical to jazz and Blues. His self-taught approach, inspired by harmonica legends like Big Walter Horton, Sonny Terry, Little Walter, Paul Butterfield, James Montgomery, Jerry Murad, Larry Adler, Stevie Wonder, and jazz icon Toots Thielemans, laid the foundation for his distinctive style.

DePino’s formal training elevated his craft further. He studied with world-renowned classical harmonica virtuoso Robert Bonfiglio at Turtle Bay Music School in New York City, earning a scholarship in 1980 for his performance of Bach’s Sonata No. III in E flat for flute and piano. He later pursued jazz harmonica studies with guitarists Dave Dana, and Joe Tinari, and saxophonist Tim Moran as well as Hendrik Meurkens, one of today's leading jazz harmonica players. More recently, DePino completed three years of advanced study with Yotam Ben-Or, an amazing Israeli jazz player and composer further refining his technical and theoretical expertise.

A versatile performer, DePino has played with notable musicians, including Czech trumpeter Laco Deczi, with whom he toured extensively in Europe and recorded albums with the ensemble Celula New York. His recordings include DePino Plays Deczi (2006) and Master Attracter, featuring collaborations with Deczi, Brian Charette, Nob Kinukawa, Vaico Deczi, and vocalist Roxy Perry. DePino’s performances blend smooth jazz, standards from the Great American Songbook, blues, bossa nova, and original compositions, showcasing his ability to adapt the chromatic harmonica’s expressive range to diverse genres. In 2015, he recorded with Roman Horky and Kamelot for an album released in the Czech Republic.

Since 1992, DePino has been a regular session player at Cafe Nine in New Haven. He has also made guest appearances with the George Baker Experience, and the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, where he was a featured soloist for two “Concerts in the Park” in 2000. His mentorship under legendary jazz pianist Donn Trenner helped him redefine his sense of timing and musical storytelling. During the winter months, he also performs regularly as special guest artist in Florida, with the band Hot Tonic, one of Tampa Bay's best bands.

Beyond performing, DePino is a dedicated educator, offering private lessons in blues and chromatic harmonica. He teaches jazz to young students every year at the Neighborhood Music School Jazz camp, where he shares his expertise and passion with the next generation of musicians. He is a former member of the Greater New Haven Federation of Musicians, Local 234, and continues to contribute to the Northeast’s jazz scene through performances, recordings, and teaching.

Currently his "Just Jazz Quartet" is composed of renowned guitarist Christopher Morrison and bassist Morris Trent.

Chris DePino remains a vibrant figure in the jazz harmonica world, blending technical mastery with a soulful narrative that resonates with audiences across genres and continents.