Joel Rafael

Joel Rafael
portrait of Joel Rafael
portrait of Joel Rafael
Background information
OriginSan Diego County, California, United States
GenresFolk, singer-songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica
Years active1994–present
LabelsAppleseed, Inside, Reluctant Angel
MembersJoel Rafael Band:

Jamaica Rafael
Carl Johnson

Jeff Berkley
Websitewww.joelrafael.com

Joel Rafael is an American singer-songwriter and folk musician from San Diego County, California. Rafael's second volume to celebrate the songs of Woody Guthrie, was released on Appleseed in 2005. The first volume, Woodeye, was released on Inside Recordings in 2003. Joel and his acoustic band have been performing and touring nationally since 1993. In 2000, the Joel Rafael Band, comprising Joel Rafael, (lead vocals and guitar), his daughter Jamaica (violin, viola and vocals), Carl Johnson (acoustic lead guitar) and Jeff Berkley (ethno-percussion), released their third album, Hopper on Inside Recordings, an independent label created by Jackson Browne and his management. The album was nominated in 2001 for an Association For Independent Music (AFIM) Best Contemporary Folk award.