Projects

Four men standing inside a music studio with warm lighting and wood-paneled walls, surrounded by musical equipment and instruments.

Amblur

Amblur is a progressive jazz/rock quartet featuring Brad Shepik and Bob Lanzetti on guitar, Ben Monder on Fender Bass IV and Diego Voglino on drums. Debut album coming in 2027 on Sunnyside Records!

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A person is walking down a winding wooden path with a bicycle, casting a long shadow. The scene is in black and white with sunlight creating a hazy glow. Text overlay reads: 'Brad Shepik, Human Activity, Dream of the Possible.'

Human ActivitY

"Human Activity: Dream of the Possible" (Shifting Paradigm Records, October 2024) is a ten-movement meditation on the climate challenges we face, seeking to inspire action for a sustainable future. The term ‘human activity’ often signifies our negative, exploitative, and harmful impact on the environment. However, we are the one species capable of having the greatest positive effect on this issue. We can choose to actively change our habits, live more sustainably, and do whatever we can to preserve the planet for future generations.”

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Three men standing side by side against a blue wall, facing the camera. The man on the left wears glasses and a black shirt, the middle man is bald and also wears a black shirt, and the man on the right has curly gray hair and is dressed in black.

Believers Brad Shepik Sam Minaie John Hadfield

Believers is a world-influenced jazz/fusion trio that brings together three musicians who have spent years performing music on the borders of jazz, fusion and  world music.    Guitarist Brad Shepik has performed with Paul Motian and Yuri Yunakov.    Percussionist John Hadfield has toured and recorded with Nguyen Le and Kinan Azmeh.    Bassist Sam Minaie has spent time in the bands of Tigran Hamasyan and Donny McCaslin. Though their influences are global, their aesthetic  is rooted in jazz, blues, rock and the art of improvisation.  Their collective compositions are influenced by diverse musical traditions such as Balkan music, South Indian Carnatic music, and Armenian folk music.  Hard Believer (Shifting Paradigm Records March 7, 2025) is their second release.

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Four men standing together in a room with wood and metal ceiling decorations. The man on the far left is wearing a plaid shirt and smiling. The second man from the left has dark skin, a beard, and is wearing a black shirt. The third man is wearing glasses, a denim jacket, and has headphones around his neck. The man on the far right has a beard, is wearing a gray T-shirt with teal writing, and is holding hands with someone outside the frame. They are standing in front of a wall with technical equipment and a large TV screen.

Affinity

Affinity is a jazz and Carnatic fusion group featuring kanjira virtuoso Swaminathan Selvaganesh (kanjira), Dan Weiss (drums), Ethan Helm (alto saxophone) and Sam Minaie (bass) and plays compositions by Brad Shepik and Swaminathan Selvaganesh.

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Jazz band performing on stage with red curtains and musical instruments including drums, saxophones, and guitar.

Balkan Peppers

Balkan Peppers is the Balkan jazz/funk fusion collaboration of guitarist Brad Shepik and Rom percussionist Seido Salifoski. For 25 years, they have been touring and recording with several Balkan-infused groups, including Matt Darriau’s Paradox Trio, Yuri Yunakov's Wedding Band, Theodossii Spassov, and The Commuters. Their music features compositions that are co-written and arranged, combining the joyful dance rhythms of the Balkans with virtuosic jazz improvisation and the grooving energy of funk.

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