Browse some recent OA2 Reviews.
Mai-Liis - Kaleidoscope
by C. Michael Bailey, Wild Mercury Rhythm
By the time Canadian vocalist/composer Mai-Liis (my LEASE) recorded her debut recording Mai-Liis On Life (OA2 Records, 2021), it had taken her 30 years to become an overnight sensation—and she may be skeptical of that. Refreshing is the fact that there is not one jazz standard on either her debut or its follow-up, Kaleidoscope. That fact alone places Mai-Liis in a class by herself. As a songwriter, critics have compared her to Joni Mitchell,... read more
Susan Reed - Thousands of Ways
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
The violinist, vocalist and storyteller Susan Reed has enjoyed a diverse and exceptional career, and here she reflects on life, love, the pandemic and politics with help from Craig Wagner's guitar, David Friesen's bass and Stever Barnes' drums.
"Flying My Kite" starts the listen with warmly plucked strings, as Reed's comforting and eloquent voice guides the gentle climate, and "Fresco" follows with Reed's playful violin and the light... read more
The Taylor / Fidyk Big Band - Live At Blues Alley
by Edward Blanco, EJazzNews
Celebrating the 40th anniversary of the world famous Blues Alley jazz club in Washington, DC, The Taylor/Fidyk Big Band proceeded to blow the house down in one swinging performance captured on tape for their second recording and follow up to their 2002 debut, "A Perfect Match."
Composer/arranger Mark Taylor and drummer Steve Fidyk anchor an eighteen-piece big band comprised of some of the best musicians from the DC area, all veterans from... read more
Ben Markley Big Band With Ari Hoenig - Ari's Funhouse
by Arturo Gomez, KUVO New Music
Philadelphia-born drummer Ari Hoenig has firmly established himself in music with over a dozen recordings as a leader plus many more as an accompanist on many other sessions. He also has become a leading award-winning educator and is currently on the faculty of New York University (NYU). One of the leading pianists along the Front Range is Ben Markley whose albums have been well received on jazz radio around the globe and like Ari is an... read more
Debbie Poryes | Bruce Williamson - Two and Fro
by George Fendel, Jazz Society of Oregon
Any duo worth it's salt can bring to the table a sort of intimacy one doesn't always find in other musical settings. Poryes and Williamson have a lot going for themselves in this heartwarming performance. Williamson plays nearly everything with a reed, and Poryes is equally skilled as accompanist as she is soloist. Each contributes an original tune to the set, and the musical menu is quite varied, ranging from Wayne Shorter's "Speak No Evil" to... read more
Afro Bop Alliance - Una Más
by Adam Greenberg, All Music
Una M�s is an outstanding set of Latin jazz from the D.C. area's finest Latin big band. The band makes use of surprisingly complex arrangements of largely new compositions, both Latin pieces transformed into somewhat jazzier arrangements (as in the opening "Golpe de Cumaco") and jazz pieces given a Latin flavor (as in main arranger Vince Norman's "El Oto�o"). Rounded out with a few Latinized classic pieces from the likes of Cal Tjader and Benny... read more
Ben Markley Big Band With Ari Hoenig - Ari's Funhouse
by George W Harris, Jazz Weekly
Pianist/keyboardist Ben Markley leads a 17 piece big band through seven original pieces, all filled with impressive and creative section work and well delivered solos. The horns are big, bold and brassy as they punch through solos by Will Swindler/as and drummer Ari Hoenig on "Birdless" while the leader swings around Hoenig's shuffle on "Bert's Playground". The sections get kinetic as they carom around on "Arrows and Loops" while guitarist Steve... read more
Liam Sillery Quintet - Minor Changes
by George Fendel, Jazz Scene, September 2005
This is my first acquaintance with Liam Sillery, and I must say that the veteran New York trumpet ace has produced a nicely balanced program of mostly original bop and ballads. Sharing center stage is California based tenor man David Sills. With a finely tuned rhythm section, this quintet is right in the center of the groove.... read more
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