Browse some recent OA2 Reviews.
Gail Pettis - Here in the Moment
by Carol Banks Weber, Examiner.com
"Nature Boy's" been done to death in jazz clubs by everyone from Kurt Elling, Bobby Darin, and James Brown, to Celine Dion, Natalie Cole and of course, most famously by Nat King Cole in 1948. The 1947 Eden Ahbez tune - similar to Antonin Dvorak's 1887 Piano Quintet No. 2 in A, Op. 81 - is a curious, all-too-short, mysterious and possibly scandalous tome about a strange, enchanted boy who seemed to have grown up in isolation, far from society,... read more
William Flynn - Seaside
by Sascha Harvey, The Sunflower
Director of Jazz Studies, William Flynn, released an album, titled "Seaside," this year. The album, overall, brings to mind an image of Charles Schultz's Schroeder bent over the piano while characters dance around him.
The origin of this album was an artist's retreat Flynn attended in a town called Seaside, Florida in 2017. Free of distractions, Flynn and other artists were able to buckle down and focus on their craft.
"The hardest part... read more
Idit Shner - Tuesday's Blues
by Thomas R. Erdmann, Jazz Review
Saxophonist and composer Idit Shner, who grew up in Israel, joined the faculty of the University of Oregon as Instructor of Saxophone and Jazz Studies in 2006. Her education includes a Bachelor of Music degree from Oklahoma City University, a Masters degree in Music Education from University of Central Oklahoma, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from University of North Texas. Tuesday's Blues is her debut disc. Her background includes work... read more
Dean Schmidt - I Know Nothing
by Paul Pelon IV, Audiophile Audition
And the award for the hippest song title of the year goes to? Dean Schmidt for Harry Whodeanie's Magic Impromptu Blues! An instant favorite of mine for 2007, Dean Schmidt's I Know Nothing, resembles solo efforts by Trey Anastasio and Herbie Hancock, yet takes on a bright feel of its own.
Written years ago and after collecting dust in his closet, Dean decided to release the 13 tracks heard here. Produced by Gary Gibson and influenced by too... read more
Kelley Johnson - Something Good
by Ron Weinstock, In a Blue Mood
There is a warmth and a genial, sensual quality to Kelley Johnson's vocals. Her latest CD, "Something Good," has her wonderful interpretations of ten musical gems backed by a trio, including her husband, John Hansen on piano, Michael Glynn on bass, and Kendrick Scott on piano. Jay Thomas adds his horn (saxophone or trumpet to three songs.
She has such a delightful voice as she cleanly delivers the lyrics with flawless pitch, and fluid... read more
Rich Pellegrin - Passage: Solo Improvisations II
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
It might have been recorded in Seattle but this set of improvs from the same session as an earlier volume is loaded with that ECM/miniature sensibility that just screams Eurocentric. Seeming to be a vortex of Jarrett, new age and classical, this solo piano set is a boon for the high minded, but you don't have to be an egghead to get it, just someone that wants an oasis from noise. Delicate, skillful and always beautiful, this is a solo piano... read more
Danny Green - Altered Narratives
by Chris Spector, Midwest Review
Everything here seems appropriate. Recorded for Origin's 'after hours' label with production vet Matt Pierson at the helm, this jazz piano trio date seems like the perfect after hours set. Recorded with that after hours, there's no one in the studio but us, vibe this is the perfect classic feeling date that simply has to dust on it. A killer listening set, it's a real joy and time well spent. Killer stuff throughout everyone on board can... read more
Greg Duncan Quintet - Unveiled
by Grego Applegate Edwards, Cadence, Oct-Nov 2007
Trumpeter Greg Duncan works and resides in Chicago and received his Masters at North Texas State. With a prominent middle range and occasional climbs to the mid-upper registers, Duncan's playing most often reminds of early- to mid-period Miles, certainly in sound if not always in terms of phrases. On his first CD there are six
originals. All reflect in essence the sensibility of the 1965 Miles-Shorter compositional sound, although there are... read more
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