Josef Štěpánek (born 1973, Beroun) is one of the most sought-after studio and live guitarists in the Czech Republic, equally at home in folk, jazz, pop and rock. He plays a wide range of stringed instruments, including pedal steel guitar, mandolin and banjo. Over his career he has recorded or toured with leading Czech artists such as Lucie Bílá, Radůza, Vladimír Mišík, Jarek Nohavica, Hana Hegerová, Richard Müller and Marta Kubišová, among many others. Alongside performing, he runs a private music school in Beroun and co-owns the vintage guitar shop J&L Guitars.
Štěpánek as a member of the band Blue Shadows participated in Vladimir Mišík's album "Seconds, Months and Years" (Animal Music, 2024), the third joint recording with producer Petr Ostrouchov.
On the album "Seconds, Months and Years", the core of the ensemble is the same Blue Shadows quartet as on Mišík's previous two albums - Štěpánek, Ostrouchov, Belko and Novák.
Radio Proglas included Štěpánek in its program Crossroads as a portrait of an exceptional guitar virtuoso of the Czech scene.
Štěpánek appeared as a guest at the presentation of the second album of the Beroun band No Heroes at the Kotelna club, where he had an indirect influence on the formation of the group as a teacher of its frontman.
Vladimir Mišík's album "Someday I'll Meet You", on which Štěpánek played as a member of Blue Shadows, won six Angel awards including the award for best album of the year.
Singer Lenka Nová presents a series of three summer concerts at Jazz Dock featuring new song premieres and special guest appearances.
Petr Linhart performs his new album Šénau live with a full band and celebrates the release of his interview book Autobus do Sudet.
A benefit concert by Lenka Nová with guitarist Josef Štěpánek supporting Tyfloservis, an organization helping blind and visually impaired people. The evening includes an award presentation and hosting by actor Jan Zadražil.
An intimate concert by Lenka Nová in the architecturally distinctive Vila Čerych. The programme includes a welcome drink, a guided tour of the building, and a 70-minute concert with outstanding musicians.
