[3] Since the 1970s, Filiano has played or recorded with Anthony Braxton, Fred Ho, Nels Cline, Bill Dixon, Fay Victor, and others.

While at Rutgers, he studied with bassists Carolyn Davis, John Feeney, and Larry Ridley, as well as with Ted Dunbar, Kenny Barron, Ralph Bowen, and Daniel Goode.

Filiano began his professional career in 1974, working across the Northeastern United States from his home base in Syracuse, New York.

The 90s were a fertile recording period for Filiano, who appeared on more than 50 albums with Golia,[9] Grossman, Adams, Tony Lujan, Anthony Coleman, Hafez Modirzadeh, Bill Perkins, Joelle Leandre and many others.

In addition to his continuing relationships from the 90s, he added performances and recordings with Dom Minasi,[10] Fred Hess, Roswell Rudd, Paul Smoker, Rodrigo Amado, Andrea Wolper, Jason Kao Hwang,[11] Marco Cappelli, and many others.

Filiano has performed at festivals and clubs[13][14] around the world, including in the United States, Canada, Slovenia, Italy, Germany, France, and Russia.