Press

Publicity photos: Click to download high resolution photos.

* Photos by: Robert J. Saferstein

Check out Josh Rzepka in the news...

Hear What they are saying about Josh and Midwest Coast...

"Rzepka displays a refreshing grasp of melody and economy of phrase, and, in the singularly lovely "Song for a New Year," he expresses emotional depth beyond his 25 years." - Carlo Wolff - Cleveland SCENE

"...an impressive display of chops and taste...Rzepka has crafted a winning, listenable recording debut. Mainstream, bop-based jazz at its most accessible, Midwest Coast is never bland or overly smooth." - Carlo Wolff - Cleveland SCENE

"Rzepka, who plays with a cool, relaxed warm tone..." - Malcolm X Abram: Akron Beacon Journal

"...There are pretty ballads, a few bossa-novas...and some straight-ahead swinging bop such as the title tune, which should get jazz lovers' toes tapping." - Malcolm X Abram - Akron Beacon Journal

Profile in the CJN: Cleveland Jewish News article by writer Arlene Fine - 10/23/09

Midwest Coast's first full CD review! 9/16/09 In Cleveland SCENE magazine, by Carlo Wolff.

http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/local-disc-reviews/Content?oid=1639405

New mention in the Akron Beacon Journal! 8/20/09 - Malcolm X Abram

Josh was on Around Noon on 90.3 WCPN ideastream, on Tuesday the 18th to preview the CD. Click here to hear a podcast of the show!

Brand new article with integrated video clip, in the Plain Dealer (Cleveland.com). By Donald Rosenberg. 7-03-09!

Brand new Akron Beacon Journal article "He's got rhythm and all that jazz" By Malcolm X Abram. Printed - June 21st 2009.

"Playing a muted trumpet can be a bit of a tightrope act. You want to capture the smoky mystery that sound evokes, but overdo the growl and the waa-waa and it risks becomes clichéd. Josh Rzepka nails the right balance with his mute creating the blue mood that perfectly serves pianist/singer Harry Bacharach's new date "Velvet Tango." Rzepka's open horn playing is clean and clear calling to mind the best of later day Chet Baker, in particular on the tune "The Slide. I look forward to hearing more from Josh."

Dan Polletta- 90.3 WCPN ideastream

"With co-producer/co-engineer Josh Rzepka's trumpet and flugelhorn punctuating tracks like the rueful New Orleans-jazz-style "Philandering Fool" and the dreamy "Petal Point," Bacharach's made a disc with an old-timey flavor that captures the high-class aura the Velvet Tango Room aims to create."

Anastasia Pantsios - The Piano Man, Scene Magazine

"Bacharach's neo-Cotton Club sound on Velvet Tango is bolstered by a venerable who's-who of local jazz musicians...From the captivating opening of "Careful With Those Blues, Eugene" to the muted trumpet of "Philandering Fool," it's hard not to feel those 1920s and 30s vibes permeating your soul...."Get the Feeling" and "The Slide" are among the remaining highlights, but the whole disc is great -- a smooth timewarp to a simpler time."

Cool Cleveland Managing Editor: Peter Chakerian

See the whole review of "Velvet Tango" here!

Click here to see a video podcast of Harry Bacharach and me on 90.3 WCPN's Around Noon with Dee Perry!