Musicians: Nick Kepics (guitar), Blake Wallace (trumpet), Leon Alexander (drums), and Chris Brydge (bass)
Review: Nick Kepics was born in Tarentum, PA, in 1949. Self-taught for the most part, he has been a working musician in various local bands during the past 40 years. Nick loves to write, and he has said that composing "is the pinnacle of musical expression," which he has proved beyond a shadow of doubt in this album.
His talent for composing music is equaled only by the band’s triumph in conveying these up-beat rhythms to the listener. Nick is accompanied by a full band, including drums, upright bass, electronic bass, vocals, trumpet, guitar, and percussion. Together, they crank out smooth and sophisticated tunes that demand the listener’s attention – this is not your ordinary “background” music. Some of the songs have a Latin beat, while some are, in the words of a couple of other reviewers, reminiscent of the Miles Davis experience.
I recommend Piece Offering to anyone who loves jazz, no matter what kind. It’s a perfect companion for an evening at home, whether you want to chill out or spice things up. Enjoy!
Tracks: Dinner Set Groove, Get Out of the Blue, Dee (Inst.), Lac Fantome, Piece Offering, Song for Suzie, Walt's Blues, What Were You Thinking, The Hobgoblin's Ball, Uma Cobra Louca!, Headed Back Home, Felonius Punk, Dee (Voc.)
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