BRAD SHEPIK | Human Activity: Dream of the Possible

Guitarist and composer Brad Shepik released his ninth album as leader on October 11, 2024. The new offering, Human Activity: Dream of the Possible, is a ten-movement meditation on the climate challenges we face, seeking to inspire action for a sustainable future. This piece, composed and premiered by Shepik in 2021, builds on his earlier work, Human Activity Suite (2007). Human Activity: Dream of the Possible features Shepik on guitar, tambura, and saz, along with a talented ensemble including Layale Chaker on violin, Amino Belyamani (Dawn of Midi, Innov Gnawa) on piano, Sam Minaie (Tigran Hamasyan) on bass, and John Hadfield (Kinan Azmeh, Lennie Pickett) on drums and percussion. Get it here.

Brad Shepik performed at major festivals and clubs across Europe and North America including The North Sea Jazz Festival. He appears on more than 70 recordings and has been awarded commissions and grants from the Seattle Arts Commission (Borders 1987) and Chamber Music America (Human Activity Suite - Code Red), New York Foundation for the Arts and the Puffin Foundation. He has performed and recorded with many leading lights of jazz and world music including Paul Motian's Electric Bebop Band, Dave Douglas' Tiny Bell Trio, Carla Bley, Bob Brookmeyer, Charlie Haden, Simon Shaheen’s Quantara, Yuri Yunakov's Bulgarian Wedding Band, Chandrika Tandon’s Shivoham, Gnawa of Hope, Joey Baron, Pachora, Matt Darriau’s Paradox Trio, Tom Beckham, Combo Nuvo, Kiran Ahluwalia and George Schuller among others.

Human Activity: Dream of the Possible reflects Shepik's response to the alarming climate report of 2021, emphasizing the critical need for proactive environmental stewardship. Shepik explains, “I aimed to create a concert-length piece that reflects the state of the climate and the evolution of our attitudes toward climate change over the past 14 years. 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.”

Shepik discusses his motivation and composition process: “I set out to express my own feelings about the climate issue and at the same time explore the musical worlds of these inspiring musicians, each with their own distinctive voices. The piece initially premiered under the title ‘Code Red,’ but after conversations with artists from various mediums, including my photographer wife, Caroline Mardok, whose work is featured throughout the CD booklet, I began to consider the inspiration and impact of a more hopeful narrative.”

The movements of the piece each address different aspects of the climate crisis. The album opens with “Code Red” which references the 2021 IPCC warning from scientists that Earth's vital signs have reached critical levels. “The Search” explores the plight of climate migrants seeking refuge from environmental changes.

Next up is “Dream of the Possible” which contemplates cleaner, cheaper, and healthier alternatives to carbon-intensive lifestyles while “Symbioticity” suggests cooperation and interdependence for mutual benefit between humans and the natural world.

“Future Generations” is inspired by those who will inherit the consequences of our actions and inactions. “Travel Back” evokes nostalgia and the environment of one's youth. “Still Heat” reflects on the unprecedented 2021 Pacific Northwest heat dome. “All Hands” centers on the idea that everyone can contribute to mitigating climate change.

“Naturitude” is a meditation on gratitude and the protection of the natural world that we still have. The album closes with “Orange Haze” which captures the dissonance and surreal luminosity of wildfire smoke seen from thousands of miles away.

Through Human Activity: Dream of the Possible, Shepik is not only addressing the gravity of our environmental crisis, but also underscoring the power of hope and collective action. The masterful blending of jazz and world music in the compositions reflects the truly global nature of this crisis. His work is both a poignant reminder and an inspiring call to action to protect our planet for the sake of future generations.