Jaspar Lepak at the Roots Cellar

Jaspar Lepak at the Roots Cellar at UBC

Sunday, Oct 12, 2025 at 6pm for $20 (doors at 5:30pm)

Jaspar Lepak (pronounced JAS-per LEE-pack) writes feminist folk songs from the heart—poetic, honest, and “always evocative” (Mostly Minnesota). Her clear, pure voice and classic folk sound have earned comparisons to Kate Wolf and Nanci Griffith. Her 2024 album So Strong reached #6 on the Folk Radio Chart, following her 2021 album Desert Ghosts, also a Top 10 folk radio hit. So Strong weaves personal stories with urgent political themes inspired by women’s rights, caregiving, and loss.

Originally from Arizona, Jaspar studied classical piano and literature before discovering songwriting on guitar after college. She lived for two years in Durban, South Africa, where she found a devoted audience and recorded Forgiving Wind, praised by Rolling Stone South Africa as “full of beauty and original charm.” Over the past 20 years, she has released 10 albums, steadily building a dedicated following across the U.S. and abroad.

Jaspar's song “Dandelion” was featured on The Seasons Project, an 80-song modern folk anthology curated by Christine Lavin. Her music has also been spotlighted on 89.3 The Current and Democracy Now!, with “I Know a Woman” airing on a segment honoring LGBTQ+ activist Edith Windsor. She has also collaborated with bestselling novelist JoAnn Ross, who was so inspired by Jaspar’s performance at a farmers market that she made one of her heroines a songwriter. Jaspar’s song “One Brave Life,” written for Ross’s novel The Inheritance, was released as a single in 2021.

Now based in Minneapolis, Jaspar performs locally and tours nationally, often joined by keyboardist Ben Cook-Feltz. She teaches private music lessons at Twin Town Guitars, and leads music programs for assisted living communities. Jaspar is a recent recipient of the Tofte Lake Artist Residency.

“So Strong is comforting and charmingly unpretentious.” -89.3 The Current

"You'll find more than enough beauty and original charm to make you a fan." ~ Rolling Stone South Africa

“Jaspar Lepak is the real deal when it comes to songwriting and guitar work, and as a vocalist she has few—if any—peers.  She is a songwriter's dream.” ~ Christine Lavin 

Jaspar Lepak website

Roots Cellar is located at University Baptist Church in Dinkytown at 1219 University Ave SE, Minneapolis MN 55414.

Bus routes are a block away and parking is available in small lots next door, paid lots around Dinkytown, and street parking as well.