Western Pennsylvania has long been referred to as the cradle of quarterbacks having turned out such prolific NFL greats as Dan Marino, Joe Montana, and Joe Namath. The greater Cleveland area boasts musical heavyweights Chrissie Hynde and The Pretenders, Dean Martin and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame while Cleveland Heights Josh Rzepka is quickly earning a rightful place next to two other area jazz greats in Dominick Farinacci and Sean Jones.
Into The Night finds Rzepka leading an incredibly tight sextet built around precision, lyrical warmth and a keen melodic sense. A vibrant sound yet deceptively simple in that Rzepka does not subscribe to the speed is king mentality plaguing so many "flavors of the month." Josh Rzepka allows his compositions to speak for him, the voice is a methodical and alluring maturity that goes well beyond his years. The jazz community puts a premium on mileage and paying dues and it is indeed rare for a young artist to posses the total package allowing for an air of credibility but Rzepka is indeed the real deal.
"Into The Night" introduces you to stylish yet subtle groove with a delightful undercurrent of nuance and finesse from a first call rhythm section including Ron Godale on drums, Peter Dominguez on bass and Jackie Warren on piano. Swing is indeed king and driven home with Andy Hunter on trombone and Steve Kortyka on saxophone. Independent artists are often faced with sound issues and lets face it, they are operating on the tightest of budgets. Five/Four Productions manages to recreate the classic Blue Note sound of Rudy Van Gelder, an all most live studio sound that only adds to the sonic depth of field on this release. On "Twenty-Five" the horn section of Rzepka, Hunter and Kortyka swing as one harmonious train of musical thought. The endearing musical quality of Rzepka aside from his compositional excellence is his controlled fury with his instrument. Tone, phrasing, and an impeccable swing rule a release that has an intoxicating ebb and flow as is demonstrated with the tune "Salsa Queen." Jackie Warren is a superb pianist and like other members of the sextet, Warren creates from within and compliments drummer Ron Godale who owns the pocket on this number. Rzepka clearly knows who he is as an artist and his lyrically charged compositions are a mirror image to his approach to the trumpet. Technically proficient and artistically gifted. A joyous expression of musical tidings of great joy. "Blues For C.T." is a particular favorite and Rzepka's riff on a soulful blues in G Major that borrows its turnaround from a classic Clark Terry lick. Steve Kortyka blows as nasty as you can get and Warren punctuates a feeling that drives straight through to your musical soul. Old school never sounded so good!
Into The Night is a personal release if not tribute to Dr. Wendell Logan who was the founder of the jazz studies program at Oberlin Conservatory. Dr.Logan demanded his studies develop a full working knowledge of not just their instrument but to capture and better still understand the importance of swing and the innate groove of the blues in an effort to make a lasting musical statement of meaning.
Josh Rzepka learned his lessons exceedingly well. A first call band with a joyous swing, Into The Night and Josh Rzepka are everything that is right in the world of jazz. If self indulgent pyrotechnics are what you dig then move on, if hearing old school become new cool with a rising young star is more your bag then Josh Rzepka is spot on!
5 Stars.
Having moved up to #14 on the Jazz Week charts, it seems my evaluation is a shared perspective by many.
Tracks: Into The Night; Twenty-Five; Stasis; Salsa-Queen; Blues For C.T.; When I'm With You; Sarah's Samba; Liam's Leaving; Con-Ti.
Personnel: Josh Rzpeka: trumpet/flugelhorn; Andy Hunter: trombone; Steve Kortyka: alto/tenor saxophone; Jackie Warren: piano; Peter Dominguez: bass; Ron Godale: drums.
