Art Ruprecht | "New Every Day"

Jazz, guitar and St. Francis of Assisi: Art Ruprecht’s spirited new single, “If Necessary, Use Words,” is receiving airplay on dozens of radio stations across the nation.

In this noisy era of incessant broadcast media coverage and social media clamoring, one may long for communication by action instead of words. And since many experts believe that the larger part of communication is nonverbal, living authentically through action may be a desirable goal. Those are some of the thoughts contemporary jazz guitarist Art Ruprecht contemplated when writing and producing his rousing new Flame Productions single, “If Necessary, Use Words.”

The second single from Ruprecht’s “New Every Day” album is a guitar and saxophone duet featuring Fred Middlekauff on tenor sax. The track was swiftly added to dozens of smooth/contemporary jazz playlists across the country.

Storming out of the gate, Ruprecht issues gregarious electric jazz guitar leads and soulful rhythmic riffs. He volleys playfully with Middlekauff’s fervent horn forays as the duo builds to crescendo while trading impassioned solos. Jeff Tobler’s EVI and Martin Klein’s keyboards thicken the harmonies tethered to the rhythm track constructed by Joshua West’s bass and Andy Summerfield’s drums.    

“The title for the single comes from a quote attributed to St. Francis of Assisi. ‘Preach the gospel at all times and if necessary, use words.’ No one knows for sure if he really said it, but nevertheless it is worthy advice. Actions speak louder than words. When we radiate joy and happiness, people notice,” said Ruprecht, a St. Louis native whose fretwork is influenced by Joe Pass, Pat Martino, Pat Metheny, Larry Carlton, Robben Ford and George Benson.

Ruprecht says that “If Necessary, Use Words” mirrors the journey of life.

“The first verse takes the listener through some ups and downs as we all experience in life. It leads to a redemptive chorus in the second part of the song. These parts are repeated with experimentation – our improv solos – leading into the wilderness part of the journey heard during the bridge. Finally, we emerge at a higher level, heard via a change in key, and coast from there to the promised land,” explained Ruprecht.

Ruprecht brings a unique and diverse background to his recording artistry. He’s a multi-instrumentalist who started on the drum kit. Falling in love with bluegrass inspired him to learn violin, mandolin and eventually, guitar. He debuted in 2008 with the “At the End of the Day” album, which was heard frequently on the Weather Channel. His "Cast Your Care" ranked No. 22 on the SmoothJazz.com Top 100 albums for 2019. Ruprecht’s first album in three years, “New Every Day” contains fifteen of his original compositions, including the first single, “Peace Meal,” another guitar and sax offering spotlighting Middlekauff that garnered national airplay last spring.