About Chris DePino
Music has always been a big part of my life. I grew up in an Italian family in New Haven, Connecticut, surrounded by the sounds of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and all the great jazz musicians one can possibly imagine.
The first instrument I played was the accordion— when I was just 9 years old. And then, I learned how to sing (which came pretty naturally) and dance.
Eventually, I found my way to the harmonica. It became my main instrument, especially when I started working as a train conductor for Metro-North Commuter Railroad in 1971 at age 19. It was easy to play and I found myself many days sitting in the caboose and listening to the steel wheels clacking out the rhythm as the train traveled down the track.
I learned blues harmonica by listening to players like Big Walter Horton, Sonny Terry, Little Walter, Paul Butterfield, and my friend James Montgomery. I spent hundreds of hours listening to their music.
For seven years, I played in different blues bands around Connecticut, getting better at my craft.
Then in 1978, everything changed when I heard the Master, Toots Thielemans play the chromatic harmonica. Toots opened up new possibilities with music because of the wider range of the instrument. It allowed me to explore deeply the essence of the "the sound". And like many others after hearing Toots play I fell in love with Jazz.
And that little commuter train it continued to be good to me.
As a passenger conductor (All aboard! Tickets please all tickets, watch your step leaving the train) I would travel to Grand Central Station in New York City every single day. So one day I walked over to the Turtle Bay Music School. That was the day I met Robert Bonfiglio. He was my first teacher and he started the engine on my musical journey that continues to this day.
Robert helped me earn a scholarship to Turtle Bay Music School after performing Bach’s Sonata No. III in E flat, originally written for flute and piano, on harmonica.
Along the way people like Legendary pianist Donn Trenner, an arranger and musical director to the Stars and Brian Charette—a talented jazz musician, and a world-class jazz pianist and organ player took me under their wing.
And then I met Laco Deczi (Latso Dechee). He told me to be brave. He taught me to learn the music by living it. The lessons I learned from him are invaluable.
I’ve released and recorded several albums and toured Eastern and Central Europe extensively with Laco Deczi, my friend and mentor.
And most recently, I have completed three years of advanced study with Yotom Ben-Or, an Israeli jazz harmonica player, composer, and one exceptionally talented musician.
It’s been a long ride, and I’m still going. Everyday a new chapter of chasing the dream lives on.