Big Wedge

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Big Wedge is an American rock band formed in 1999 by guitarist/songwriter Steve Fleck and drummer/songwriter Kevin Distel. They have released several well-received albums, and have a cult following in the New York City area. Their name comes from a song written by Fish, former singer of Marillion.

Growing up in New York's Hudson Valley, Fleck and Distel were exposed to a wide variety of musical styles (including funk, Latin, and jazz) while playing with the Ellenville High School Jazz Ensemble (the group's alumni--including saxophonist Sal Giorgianni--have gone on to play with Maynard Ferguson, The World Symphony Orchestra, and the Nashville Brass. Conducted by Peter Stellato, the EJE performed at prominent Jazz Festivals, including the 1982 Montreux Jazz Festival, where they shared the stage with Dizzy Gillespie).

In the early 1990s (while Distel was gigging and recording in Los Angeles), Fleck formed a progressive rock band called Parallax with bassist/songwriter Chris Appel. Fleck had also worked with guitarist/songwriter Michael Jos. Appel played in several bands at the time (including Coda Blues, and a progressive 3-piece called Sleeping In Neon). Jos was writing, gigging, and recording with his band, Baby New Year, a hard-rock foursome. Seeking to streamline his ambitious compositions, Fleck composed a more mainstream catalog of solid tunes. By 2000, Big Wedge's lineup featured Fleck, Distel, Appel and Jos. They then hit the studio to record four of Fleck's new tunes (which resulted in Onset, their first EP, in 2001).

While preparing for their full-length album, Minutiae, in 2002, Big Wedge began the search for a powerful vocalist. Auditions were held, and they finally hooked up with singer/songwriter Breeze (he had recently become available after his own successful band, Sweet Brother Rush, decided to break up). It was clear that they shared the same musical direction, so Breeze joined Big Wedge (he has since appeared as a finalist on CBS's Star Search TV program, and later headlined an off-Broadway play).

The Minutiae sessions were produced by Fleck, Distel, and Bob Stander. Stander's resume includes credits as a record producer, engineer, songwriter, arranger, guitarist and bassist. In addition, Stander formed a band with Pete Townsend's brother, Simon, and toured as lead guitarist for The Platters.

Minutiae features trumpeter Jerry Sokolov from Blood Sweat & Tears, saxophonist Mario Cruz (who recorded Tunnel of Love with Bruce Springsteen, Bill Fleck of the Kick-Brass Horns on trombone/horn arrangements, and Fleck's father, Jack, on guitar. Teddy Cook (who toured, recorded, and wrote with Ronnie James Dio and Great White) produced backing tracks on two of the songs. Minutiae has sold well as an underground favorite.

Breeze and Big Wedge parted amicably in 2004. The band has since played only limited engagements.