We are a Seattle-based jazz label, run for musicians by musicians. Our fundamental goals are simple: to provide a home for our artists' ongoing work as their careers and musical voices evolve, and to introduce our audience to new and refreshingly unexpected music while maintaining an uncompromised artistic quality. Celebrating our 25th year in 2022, we release two to three dozen new records a year and represent over 350 artists on 725 albums across the Origin, OA2, Origin Classical, and Origin World labels.
Our main focus lies in the collaborative efforts of the many artists we partner with. Teaming with inspired artistic communities from around the world, our artists have a hand in curation as their fellow musicians learn of the labels and see it as a possible home for their own musical statements. The result is a wide-ranging catalog, with music from some of the great large ensemble composers, to the creative improvised music of the "Zurich Series," to the array of "modern mainstream" projects which define the core of the catalog's sound. Works from vital veterans of the music such as Hal Galper, Don Lanphere, Jessica Williams, Benny Powell and Hadley Caliman, or from active, pivotal performers of the last 30 years such as Nnenna Freelon, New York Voices, Joe Locke, Bobby Broom, Rodney Whitaker, Sam Yahel, & George Colligan, all whose recordings reflect decades of collaborations and provide a grounding and perspective for the younger artists we will partner with into the future.
Started less than 2 years after the term "internet" was defined, John's CD design work and Matt's attendant establishment of our online presence enabled us to leverage digital promotion and distribution as a means to enter the global marketplace. Partnering with like-minded internet startups, we built relationships that are still strong today. The collaboration between All About Jazz in Philadelphia and Jazz Steps in Seattle resulted in All About Jazz/Seattle, a newspaper we published for 4 years which later forged the ongoing SeattleJazzScene.com. We've also presented the thriving, annual 4-day Ballard Jazz Festival since 2003.
Origin founder John Bishop has been one of the primary voices in Northwest Jazz for 30 years. He has performed with Bobby McFerrin, Lee Konitz, Slide Hampton, Benny Golson, George Cables, Sonny Fortune, Bobby Hutcherson, Tom Harrell, Larry Coryell, Jon Faddis, Charles McPherson, Carla Bley, Steve Swallow, Joe Locke, Hal Galper, Jessica Williams, and countless others. {Origin Artist Page}
His five releases with his band Matt Jorgensen +451 built a reputation as one of the most exciting groups in jazz today. As a sideman he has worked with Gary Bartz, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Eric Alexander, Bill Mays, Stanley Jordan, Peter Bernstein, Vincent Herring, Bobby Shew, Mike LeDonne, George Colligan, Reggie Workman, Tim Ries, Chuck Leavell and others. {Origin Artist Page}
An integral part of the Pacific Northwest jazz and creative music scene, drummer Evan Woodle serves as a driving force behind several diverse bands while maintaining a healthy reputation as a first-call performer, recording artist, and private instructor locally and nationally. He co-founded the Table & Chairs record label / musician's collective in 2011, and actively presents concerts, series and events in Seattle. {Origin Artist Page}
ALL ABOUT JAZZ FEATURE (2018): Origin Records: Creating Opportunities And Community
JAZZ JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION (2019): JAZZ HEROS AWARDS
SEATTLE TIMES (2019): Ballard Jazz Festival celebrates Seattle's vibrant jazz scene and 20th anniversary of "Speakin' Out" album
SEATTLE TIMES (2009): Seattle's Origin Records named JazzWeek's Label of the Year
SEATTLE TIMES (2007): Origin Records celebrates 10 years with jaunty Walk
SEATTLE TIMES (2002): Small label, big noise: Ballard's Origin Records drumming up national interest