Joseph Louis Diorio

August 6, 1936 – February 2, 2022

American jazz guitarist Joseph Louis Diorio, passed away on February 2, 2022 at the age of 85. With his passing, the world lost a talented musician, innovator, teacher, and artist.

Joseph Louis Diorio, known to his family and friends as Joe or Joey, was born on August 6, 1936 in Waterbury, Connecticut to the late Lee (Dispoto) and Louis “Rusty” Diorio.

He was inspired at the age of thirteen to pick up a guitar after hearing his uncle play the banjo. From that day on, Joe wouldn’t put that guitar down.

Joe’s professional career as a musician and famed guitarist spans more than six decades and several continents. In the 1950s, Joe began playing in jazz groups in clubs in New York, Chicago, and Miami. In the 60s and 70s. Joe Diorio was one of the most renowned and well respected jazz guitarists with fans across the world. He moved to Los Angeles in the 1970s to record and teach at the Guitar Institute of Technology (GIT). He was one of the first instructors at the Guitar Institute and taught there until 1997. He also taught at the University of Southern California. Among his former students are guitar greats and Grammy winners. After recording with other musicians, Joe launched a successful solo career recording and toured Europe in the late 90s and 2000s.

Over the course of his career, Joe recorded over 10 albums and played on countless more with other jazz legends including Sonny Stitt, Eddie Harris, Ira Sullivan, Stan Getz, Pat Metheny, Horace Silver, Anita O'Day, and Freddie Hubbard. He also recorded albums with modern performers including Robben Ford, Gary Willis, David Becker and Mick Goodrick. Joe was a prolific writer, publishing 14 books on guitar theory.

Following a stroke in 2005, Joe turned his attention to painting and sculpture. For the last 15 years he created art, wrote music, and played his guitar back in his hometown of Waterbury.

Joe is survived by his wife Christina Diorio, sister Donna Handel, brother Louis “Buzzy” Diorio” and 12 nieces and nephews. He will be deeply missed.