The Josh Shpak Band’s first EP, “ASTATIC”, released in June of 2015 on Interrobang Records, is a collection of originals and arrangements by Shpak, featuring guests ranging from a string quartet to Israeli harmonica virtuoso, Roni Eytan."ASTATIC" was produced by Josh Shpak & Michael Miller, and was mixed & mastered by multi-Grammy winning engineer, Dave Darlington. The beautiful artwork is by a true genius – Leigh J. McCloskey – whose art has graced Flying Lotus'"Cosmogramma" CD cover, and was featured throughout the Rolling Stones"Bigger Bang Tour".Some quotes about"ASTATIC" are:CLARK TERRY:"Wow. Josh is playing his butt off. I'm so very proud of him and glad to say the ball is in great hands when Josh is carrying it."TERRI LYNE CARRINGTON:"I shouldn’t be surprised at how good Josh Shpak’s debut outing is, because he was mentored by the best, Clark Terry. And having worked with Josh since he was in high school, I knew he was a serious player, but I did not know of his ability to write such experimental, thought provoking compositions flared in the contemporary idiom. The performances are outstanding as well. I am very proud of Josh for an amazing effort that should garner him much attention in the music world."GEORGE GARZONE:"Josh Shpak is a voice of great talent, his use of harmonic expression is what I admire about his playing the most...his sound and melodic connotation is what makes him one bad cat."NATE SMITH:"Josh, you're very much on your way to carving out a distinctive voice as a trumpeter and composer. You play with intelligence, patience and maturity. You can quote me on that."For his group, the Josh Shpak Band, rising trumpeter/composer Josh Shpak has collected a quintet of some of the brightest young talents in music today, creating an ensemble steeped in the history of jazz, that – following in the footsteps of pioneers like Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock and Pat Metheny – creates a sonic palette more accessible to the young listeners of the modern era. “I have often found that the main reason people of my generation steer away from jazz is not that the music is too complex, too angular, too tense…it’s because the very sounds that the musicians are using sound old, or outdated to them,” says Shpak. “I’d like to bring my music to these people in a way that makes their own favorite artists (whether they be Radiohead, Kendrick Lamar or The Beatles), be as relevant a part of our culture’s musical history as John Coltrane”. That’s a high statement for someone so young, but as a protégé of jazz trumpet/flugelhorn legend, Clark Terry, this statement comes from a place of deep respect for the past. “Every great musician in history has been completely present in his or her own time period, while using their knowledge of the tradition to drive their creative forces”. The Josh Shpak Band has in its mission a deep commitment to collaboration, and has performed (along with others) with special guests sax giant George Garzone, guitar-innovator Nir Felder, Grammy-nominated pianist/arranger/educator Shelly Berg and bandleader/trumpeter/EVI master John Daversa.