We got a note recently from progressive banjoist Jake Schepps, letting us know that he and his Expedition Quartet are heading from Boulder, CO to New York City for this week’s Arts Presenters Conference. The annual conference brings together performing artists and buyers in the worlds of music, dance, theater, family programming and comedy.

Jake tells us that a number of acoustic string acts will be showcasing as well this year, including Abigail Washburn’s Sparrow Quartet, Laurie Lewis and the RIght Hands, Bill Evan’s Soul Grass with Sam Bush, Bearfoot, and more.

A full conference schedule can be found online.

Colorado progressive banjoist Jake Schepps is releasing his latest CD next week (7/26). Entitled Ten Thousand Leaves, it features Schepps on 11 new compositions, both his own and pieces from his collaborators on this project, guitarist Greg Schochet, bassist Eric Thorin and mandolinist (and producer) Matt Flinner.

The music is adventurous and challenging, and will appeal strongly to fans of modern banjo music - and banjo players who pursue this style themselves. Among the more ambitious tracks is a Schepps string quartet, written for banjo, violin, guitar and bass.

Audio samples from several of the pieces can be found on Jake’s web site, where orders for Ten Thousand Leaves are being accepted now.

In addition to the players mentioned above, the new release also features Ryan Drickey on violin and Adam Aijala on guitar.

Jake also has a YouTube clip of himself and his band (Expedition) with Matt Flinner guesting from a show earlier this year.