Joe Rusi began his musical journey at the age of six, learning violin and piano, and later picking up the guitar at ten. By fifteen, he had already become a professional musician. Since the late 1990s, Rusi has been a prominent figure in Norway’s blues and jazz scene, performing in clubs and festivals, and touring internationally in the US and Canada in 2010 and 2012. He earned the prestigious “Celebrity Scholarship” from Berklee College of Music, receiving a Masters Certificate in Songwriting and Guitar, awarded by a panel including Steve Vai, Paul Simon, Herbie Hancock, and Mark Mothersbaugh. Rusi’s album “Who I Am,” released by Big H Records and recorded in New Orleans with legendary musicians like Johnny Vidacovich, John Papa Gros, James Singleton, Doug Belote, and George Porter Jr., was nominated for the Norwegian Grammy Awards (Spellemannprisen) and achieved success on iTunes top lists. His 2017 album, also recorded in New Orleans and featuring Cyril Neville and Reidar Larsen, continued to gain international attention and positive reviews. Beyond his performance career, Rusi has been dedicated to music education, serving as the principal of Lund Arts School and leading the music section at Lundheim Folkehøgskole since 2016. Additionally, he has hosted the radio show “Blues with Rusi” on Radio Kvinesdal since 2013. Joe Rusi’s multifaceted career in performance, education, and radio has made him a notable figure in both the Norwegian and international music scenes, inspiring and entertaining blues and jazz enthusiasts worldwide. 

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