Josh Rzepka is an award winning Chicago based trumpeter, composer, and author. He has been featured on NPR, PBS, and has performed all across North America. His albums have been heard around the world reaching the #9 spot on the JazzWeek radio chart and the #5 spot on the CMJ Jazz chart. Since the fall of 2015 Josh has toured with retro-rock sensation Under the Streetlamp performing in nearly every state and throughout Canada.
In the fall of 2019 Josh and trumpet legend Roger Ingram released their groundbreaking jazz duet book, The Versatile Trumpeter: Duets Vol. 1. Since its release it’s garnered rave reviews, with the likes of Marcus Printup, Dan Miller, and Earl Gardner singing it’s praise. As an educator and clinician, he’s presented masterclasses and clinics at high schools and colleges, and has written multiple articles for The Instrumentalist magazine. He is a former instructor at Chicago’s acclaimed Merit School of Music (jazz trumpet), and most recently was a first round adjudicator for the ITG Jazz Improvisation competition.
Josh has appeared on stage with the Detroit Symphony, Cleveland Pops Orchestra, Oklahoma City Philharmonic, Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, as well as many other orchestras. Highlights with his jazz quartet include performances at the Steamboat Springs Strings Music Festival (artist in residence), Tri-C JazzFest, Rubber City Jazz Fest, and many other jazz clubs. Additionally, he has performed with the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra led by trumpeter Sean Jones, the Chicago Jazz Orchestra, as well as numerous other ensembles and groups throughout the Midwest.
Josh has released four albums. His jazz albums are Trumpet Genesis (2013), Into the Night (2011), and Midwest Coast (2009). His debut classical album was Josh Rzepka: Baroque Music for Trumpet (2010). His fifth jazz album (yet to be named) is scheduled to be released in mid-late 2020. He has also recorded and arranged for Under the Streetlamp, appearing on their PBS TV special Harmonies For Healing, as well as their album Hip to the Holidays (2018). Additional session work includes writing charts and recording for jazz, indie, rock, and blues artists.
Originally from Akron, OH, Josh earned his BM from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music double majoring in classical and jazz trumpet performance. He earned his MM in performance from Boston University’s College of Fine Arts. His primary instructors were Roy Poper, Kenny Davis, Marcus Belgrave, and Terry Everson. Secondary studies include Michael Sachs and Charles Schlueter.
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