Josh Rzepka
(self-released)
Josh Rzepka plays dry, warm trumpet on his cleverly named CD,
showcasing mostly midtempo originals in an impressive display of chops
and taste. Backed by pianist Jackie Warren, the precise, swinging bass
of Peter Dominguez and the charged drumming of Ron Godale, Rzepka has
crafted a winning, listenable recording debut. Mainstream, bop-based
jazz at its most accessible, Midwest Coast is never bland or
overly smooth. A graduate of Oberlin Conservatory, Rzepka is an Akron
native working on his master’s degree in trumpet performance at Boston
University. His CD suggests he’s no longer an apprentice. In tunes like
the title track, the querulous, funny “Pardon the Interruption”
(salsa-fied in “Perdon la Interrupcion”) and the rocking “A Few Minor
Changes,” 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
Jerry Popiel
(self-released)
This local singer-songwriter has a good, raspy voice and a knack for
working-class anthems. While some of his phrasing is a bit off, album
opener “Soul of Steel” is a solid ramshackle rocker. The same goes for
the harmonica-driven “Coming or Going” and the ragged “Dare to Be
Good,” a jangly tune with echoes of Guided by Voices. The title track
is infectious and features his strongest vocal performance. —
Jeff Niesel
Jerry Popiel performs with Chris Bell at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept.
16, at Wilbert’s (812 Huron Rd. E., 216.902.4663, wilbertsmusic.com). Donation
requested.
Hear new music from Josh Rzepka and Jerry Popiel on our new
online streaming jukebox: clevescene.com/kickingandstreaming.
This article appears in Sep 16-22, 2009.
