If you thought banjos were just for bluegrass Jake Schepps’ new album will change your mind. He explores Latin, jazz, and the outer edges of new acoustic on his second outing as a bandleader. Joined by Greg Schochet on mandolin and guitars, Ryan Drickey on violin and Eric Thorin on bass Ten Thousand Leaves ranks with any major label release in terms of musicianship and originality. It also sounds superb. Recommended.

Vintage Guitar Magazine

From the March issue of Dirty Linen.

Jake Schepps and crew are part of a growing modern stringband movement that uses bluegrass instrumentation but really produces music without border. Since many of Schepps's cerebral instrumental compositions were inspired by photographic art, unusual sights of nature, and even Japanese poetry (for the concept cover), it's interesting to note that these are really sonic interpretations of art, in essence art begetting art.

From JazzReview.com:

Banjoist Jake Schepps, violin master Ryan Drickey, guitarist Greg Schochet (who also plays mandolin), and string bassist Eric Thorin have combined their estimable talents on one of the ten best recordings of 2007. This is a complete and utter delight. From the airy banjo/violin interplay that informs the opening Astor Piazzolla-penned “Todo Buenos Aires” it is apparent that this is a string band meets jazz session that runs on high octane talent.

From Bluegrass Unlimited December 2007.

This is one of the more complicated records I've yet reviewed. How to convey all or even part of what I'm hearing in these 11 instrumental tracks. All the wonderful textures, all the shifts of time, and rhythm and mood. Showcased is the talented interplay between banjoist Jake Schepps, violinist Ryan Drickey, guitarist and mandolinist Greg Shochet, bassist Eric Thorin, and guests in mandolinist Matt Flinner and guitarist Adam Aijala. Think of describing a Beethoven symphony in 300 words. There is much here that is intriguing and much to be admired and praised.

Todo Buenos Aires was selected for the Collector's CD in the November/December issue of Global Rhythm Magazine. Here is what they had to say about it:

"You might not think of the banjo as an improvisational instrument, but Jake Schepps dispels all such preconceptions from the opening strains of this Astor Piazzolla classic- it's a whole new take on nuevo tango, with Schepps's Expedition Quartet providing able support."