Browse some recent OA2 Reviews.
Karen Marguth - Until
by Vincent L Stephens, Riffs, Beats, & Codas
Bay area vocalist and educator Karen Marguth hit the jazz recording scene with 2009's self-titled debut and has released a series of excellent albums. On 2015's Just You, Just Me is Marguth and bassist Kevin Hill build from the promise of previous efforts like her excellent Carrol Coates songbook A Way With Words by taking somewhat of a left turn. Taking cues from the bass and voice master, Sheila Jordan, she tackles classics like "You'd Be So... read more
Gail Pettis - May I Come In?
by Melissa Goldberg, O, The Oprah Magazine
Gail Pettis can't explain the difference between Lydian and Dorian scales, but that doesn't concern the 58-year-old jazz singer one bit. Because when Pettis saunters up to a microphone and unleashes her rich alto on a Nat King Cole classic, technicalities are the last thing on her mind. "Jazz is about expressing what's inside you in a real way,"she says. "When I sing, I feel like I'm doing what I was born to do. It's how I imagine flying... read more
Stephen Martin - High Plains
by Bill Brownlee, Plastic Sax
Bobby Watson and Stephen Martin romp through an affectionate interpretation of Benny Golson's standard "Stablemates" on the latter musician's new release High Plains. Bold and assured, the selection exemplifies the impeccable form of swing that's dominated Kansas City''s jazz scene in recent decades.
Watson is one of several members of an elite consortium of notable Kansas City musicians joining Martin on his second album. The saxophonist's... read more
Libby York - DreamLand
by Jim Motavalli, New York City Jazz Record
On this, only her fifth release as a leader in a 40-year career as a jazz vocalist, Libby York is backed by an unusual instrumentation—guitar, bass and (on only 4 of the 12 tracks) drums. There's no piano in sight, but you
won't miss it.
The singer has a warm, expressive and mature voice that will remind you of the late Carol Sloane. She's aces on ballads like "Cloudy Day" (circa 1958), written by Marvin Fisher and Joseph Allen McCarthy,... read more
Jeff Jenkins Organization - The Arrival
by Dave Rogers, WTJU - Richmond
Veteran keyboard player and teacher at University of Colorado (Boulder) and the Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts, Jeff Jenkins concentrates on the B3 for this outing. His early concentration on piano included study with Richie Beirach and Kenny Barron and performing with Phil Woods, Freddie Hubbard, David Fathead Newman, Eddie Harris, Benny Golson, John Abercrombie, and Clark Terry. He composed 9 of the 11 songs on this disc, covering a... read more
Charlie Porter - Hindsight
by Cedric Hendrix, CirdecSongs
Trumpeter Charlie Porter fronts a high-energy band performing compositions that may remind one of Dizzy Gillespie or Freddie Hubbard in a post-bop setting, with the occasional electric overtones. The compositions contain intricate melodies with nicely interwoven lead lines. The band's rhythm section continuously pushing the boundaries normally created by this style of music, making for an exciting journey within every piece. Porter plays with... read more
Danny Green Trio Plus Strings - One Day It Will
by Editor, The Jazz Page
On One Day It Will , pianist, composer and leader Danny Green joins his trio of bassist Justin Grinnell and drummer Julien Cantelm with a string section for a stunningly beautiful recording. Green's touch on the keys is fantastic, and the songs, all original works, are melodically and emotionally engaging. The musicianship from all the players on the effort is outstanding. The string quartet features San Diego Symphony violinists Kate Hatmaker... read more
Libby York - DreamLand
by Marilyn Lester, Nightlife Exchange (NYC)
Style, charm, poise and very serious jazz chops—a few words that begin to sum up singer Libby York. And in one of her all too infrequent visits to NYC, she created a cocoon of vocal delight in the intimate cellar jazz haven, Mezzrow in the Village. For one delicious set (there were two, total), experiencing her artistry helped make the turbulence of our current outside world disappear.
Opening with a swinging "This Time the Dream's on Me"... read more
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