It’s not often you hear of someone under the age of 25 releasing a Big Band album. The sounds of yesteryear are traditionally left for the over 50 crowd. However, University of Rochester student, Joey Stempien, is not like the rest of those in his age group.
March 6th saw the release of Stempien’s first major album, Wind Vane, which was recorded over 2 sessions with 30 musicians taking part in this project, including 17 at once. Recording took place in March and June 2025, at Bop Shop Records, an old school record store not far from U of R.
Having a passion for both meteorology and music, Stempien was torn on which path to choose for a career. With some parental guidance, U of R was the choice, and his music career was jettisoned into fruition.
They are very steeped in that culture
J. Stempien on why he chose U of R
Going on 22 years old, Stempien is already making a name for himself with some of his compositions being played by schools across the country, as well as the Army Field Band Jazz Ambassadors. He has also played the local Rochester International Jazz Festival for the past three years, where Dan Gross discovered him and immediately formed a relationship.
Gross, himself, is steeped in music prowess, having hosted pieces on local tv and radio, leading to an Edward R Murrow Award. He also is lead producer for Stereo Field Recordings, which produced Wind Vane for Stempien.
This is exact kind of project I love doing with SFR: helping artists find their voice with their first big release
D. Gross on working with Stempien
Listening to the tracks beforehand, I had track two on repeat while editing hockey photos this week. “Ostara” quickly became my favorite, as a strong intro of trombone and saxophone grabs the listeners attention, and they remain captivated as the piece moves on. I asked Joey how he knew when he had the perfect sound
“I was really lucky with this album. That really came down to the players, Dan Atkinson on trombone and Carter Bowman…Two of my really good friends, so I wrote that knowing they were going to have synergy. I put my trust in them…”
While Wind Vane is a sort of homage to meteorology, another passion of Stempien, it also describes how the winds have shaped his music. Jazz, pop, folk, Americana, funk, Rochester winters,
This project reflects where I am personally, musically, and geographically
J. Stempien
Wind Vane tracklist: Thank the Heartland, Ostara, The Cogs of Development, Rains of La Niña, The Maw, Bright Side
With Stempien on keys and piano, he is helped out on this instant classic by community musicians and fellow students:
Saxophone – Andrew Gould, Matt Eman, Jake Lewis, Jacon Merrill, Carter Bowman, Emile Hamwey, Cameron Jones, Connor Smith, Will, Millecchia
Trumpet – Same DeLong, Millie Hawkins, Wyatt Pepper, Cole, Pringle, Felix Schneider, Ross Simeral, Tamsin Spiller
Trombone – Dan Atkinson, Jackson, Burns, Bulmer, Shaun Fitzgerald, Nate Levas, Lucas West, Angel Paz’
Guitar – Seth Roberts
Bass – Andrew Martelle, Joey Willenbucher
Drums – Shea Thorpe
Vibraphone – Tori Valente
As of this writing, the album is available on Bandcamp, with more availability starting March 12.
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