A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ME ...
Marko Čepak, born in Slovenia, earned a master’s degree in jazz guitar (110/110 cum laude) from the G. Tartini Conservatory in Trieste (Italy), where his research focused on harmonic substitution techniques in original works. He previously graduated in jazz studies with a thesis centered on his original compositions, inspired by the natural landscapes of his native Karst region. These compositions were brought to life on his debut album Makia Planet (2016), recorded with his quartet.
His music draws deeply from the culturally rich and diverse landscape of Southern Europe, shaped by his life between Slovenia and Italy. This vibrant environment informs his work across a range of genres and styles, blending regional influences with a contemporary jazz sensibility.
Over the past decade, this openness has led him to collaborate with a wide array of musicians and projects. Among them is the Slovenian jazz fusion group Artbeaters, with whom he recorded the albums Life Compass On! (2017) and De Call (2024), led by violinist Peter Ugrin. He also collaborated with Ugrin in the ensemble Swingatan, focused on gypsy jazz, contributing original compositions featured on the albums Swingin’ Heaven (2019) and Swingatan Live (2021).
He is also a member of the Slovenian big band GveriLLaz, with which he performed at Zappanale 2024. In 2018, the ensemble won first prize (Top Class) at the International Big Band Competition in Amsterdam.
As a guest guitarist, he has performed on several occasions with the Big Band RTV Slovenija, including a project featuring saxophonist Seamus Blake. Between 2015 and 2019, he was part of Rachel Gould’s European quartet. In 2019, he performed in Slovenia and Italy alongside his musical idol, Brazilian guitarist Nelson Veras. During the pandemic, he released Quarantunes, a collection of original compositions recorded in duo with luthier and bassist Roberto Franceschini.
Marko has collaborated with and continues to perform alongside leading figures in the jazz scene, including John Stowell, Doug Webb, Riccardo Chiarion, Nelson Veras, Romain Pilon, Anthony Pinciotti, Jure Pukl, Marko Churnchetz, Howard Curtis, Andrea Michelutti, and others. He has appeared at numerous prestigious festivals and events across Slovenia, Italy, and internationally.
Particularly noteworthy is his long-standing collaboration and friendship with acclaimed American guitarist John Stowell, with whom he co-leads the regularly active John Stowell & Marko Čepak Quartet. Together, they released the debut album Ghost in the Corner in 2019.
The intertwining of Slovenian and Italian musical connections later gave rise to the Middel Land Trio, which in April 2025 impressed audiences at a jazz festival in Ravne na Koroškem. The concert was recorded and subsequently released as the live album Live in Ravne.
He is an experienced educator, having taught for many years and led numerous masterclasses in Slovenia and Italy, including at the Jazz Clinic in Velenje.
A strong focus of his artistic work is the search for a distinctive personal sound. In collaboration with Slovenian luthier Zaletelj, he has developed prototypes for four custom guitars. His setup also includes custom-made instruments by luthier Roberto Franceschini, SebAmp amplifiers by Slovenian master builder Sebastjan Ličen, and Bartolini pickups, for which he is an emerging artist.
His music draws deeply from the culturally rich and diverse landscape of Southern Europe, shaped by his life between Slovenia and Italy. This vibrant environment informs his work across a range of genres and styles, blending regional influences with a contemporary jazz sensibility.
Over the past decade, this openness has led him to collaborate with a wide array of musicians and projects. Among them is the Slovenian jazz fusion group Artbeaters, with whom he recorded the albums Life Compass On! (2017) and De Call (2024), led by violinist Peter Ugrin. He also collaborated with Ugrin in the ensemble Swingatan, focused on gypsy jazz, contributing original compositions featured on the albums Swingin’ Heaven (2019) and Swingatan Live (2021).
He is also a member of the Slovenian big band GveriLLaz, with which he performed at Zappanale 2024. In 2018, the ensemble won first prize (Top Class) at the International Big Band Competition in Amsterdam.
As a guest guitarist, he has performed on several occasions with the Big Band RTV Slovenija, including a project featuring saxophonist Seamus Blake. Between 2015 and 2019, he was part of Rachel Gould’s European quartet. In 2019, he performed in Slovenia and Italy alongside his musical idol, Brazilian guitarist Nelson Veras. During the pandemic, he released Quarantunes, a collection of original compositions recorded in duo with luthier and bassist Roberto Franceschini.
Marko has collaborated with and continues to perform alongside leading figures in the jazz scene, including John Stowell, Doug Webb, Riccardo Chiarion, Nelson Veras, Romain Pilon, Anthony Pinciotti, Jure Pukl, Marko Churnchetz, Howard Curtis, Andrea Michelutti, and others. He has appeared at numerous prestigious festivals and events across Slovenia, Italy, and internationally.
Particularly noteworthy is his long-standing collaboration and friendship with acclaimed American guitarist John Stowell, with whom he co-leads the regularly active John Stowell & Marko Čepak Quartet. Together, they released the debut album Ghost in the Corner in 2019.
The intertwining of Slovenian and Italian musical connections later gave rise to the Middel Land Trio, which in April 2025 impressed audiences at a jazz festival in Ravne na Koroškem. The concert was recorded and subsequently released as the live album Live in Ravne.
He is an experienced educator, having taught for many years and led numerous masterclasses in Slovenia and Italy, including at the Jazz Clinic in Velenje.
A strong focus of his artistic work is the search for a distinctive personal sound. In collaboration with Slovenian luthier Zaletelj, he has developed prototypes for four custom guitars. His setup also includes custom-made instruments by luthier Roberto Franceschini, SebAmp amplifiers by Slovenian master builder Sebastjan Ličen, and Bartolini pickups, for which he is an emerging artist.