BALLARD JAZZ FESTIVAL: APRIL 18-21

Origin/OA2 Records is gearing up for the 2012 Ballard Jazz Festival which runs April 18-21.

Headlining this year is guitarist Bobby Broom and his trio featuring Dennis Carroll on bass and Kobie Watkins on drums.

A full-roster of Origin/OA2 artists will be helping celebrate both the 10th anniversary year of the festival and 15th year of Origin Records.

Make plans to spend a week in Seattle's favorite neighborhood. For more info, visit http://ballardjazzfestival.com.

2011 JAZZWEEK AWARDS - ROCHESTER, NY

For the fifth year in a row, Origin Records was nominated for JazzWeek's "Label Of The Year" at the JazzWeek Summit in Rochester, NY. Though we (proudly) came away as second fiddle to Manfred Eicher's legendary ECM label, we're extremely humbled and gratified for the support from all the radio programmers, jazz writers, musicians and industry people who participate and would allow us to appear in such great company. For the "Label with the Most Spins," Origin & OA2's 22,000 reported radio plays made us the 2nd most played label on American Jazz Radio in 2010, right behind the Highnote/Savant label. Thanks to JazzWeek for all the work they do and congratulations to the whole Origin/OA2 community!

Paul West, a Seattle icon.

From the Seattle Times
Paul West, an ebullient pianist, singer and humorist who entertained several generations on Seattle’s lounge scene from the 1950s forward, passed away December 19th. He was 76.
The cause was prostate cancer. Though Mr. West worked much of his life as an advertising man by day, he played music by night. He was probably best known for his ’70s trio BLT — Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato — featuring bassist Rolf Johnson (son of well-known Seattle architect Sig Johnson) and vocalist Gail Clements. Seattle’s cocktail-lounge scene — all but vanished now — thrived until the early ’80s and featured jazz-inflected soloists and combos playing music that could slide easily from background to foreground.

Paul West recorded several albums for Origin and OA2 Records. Learn more, and listen to sound clips at his artist page.

LIAM SILLERY AT THE NORTH SEA JAZZ FESTIVAL

With a recent 5-star Downbeat review in hand for last year's Phenomenology, New York trumpeter Liam Sillery hasn't had a chance to rest! His new album Priorite is receiving play around the country and he and the band will be taking off for the Netherlands this week for their first-ever appearance at the North Sea Jazz Festival.

Paul Tynan & Aaron Lington nomination for ECMA

The collective band co-led by trumpeter Paul Tynan and saxophonist Aaron Lington have again been nominated for 2011 'Jazz Recording of the Year' by the Eastern Canadian Music Awards for the Bi-Coastal Collective's Chapter Two. Their first record, Chapter One was also nominated for the award. Awards will be announced on April 17th. Visit the Eastern Canadian Music Awards website at www.ecma.ca for more info.

Downbeat 5-Star review for Liam Sillery's Phenomenology

New York trumpeter Liam Sillery received a 5-star review for his fourth and most recent release from OA2 Records. Phenomenology made a strong showing on the radio charts earlier this year, and is available now from our website. Don't miss this exciting record Downbeat's Chris Robinson states, "Is so natural, that only one word can be used to describe it: perfect."

Read the full review - here.

Tom Tallitsch featured in Downbeat Magazine, Gail Pettis receives 4-stars

The July 2010 issue of Downbeat magazine has a great feature on Saxophonist Tom Tallitsch, on the heels of his latest release Perspective. Tallitsch, a Cleveland native, talks about his involvement in both the Philadelphia and New York City jazz scenes. Seattle vocalist Gail Pettis' latest record Here In The Moment, which spent a number of weeks in the top 10 of national jazz airplay charts is featured in the August issue of Downbeat with a 4-star review. Read it here!