Browse some recent OA2 Reviews.
Carolyn Graye with Jessica Williams - Songs
by Jason West, All About Jazz
Carolyn Graye is a veteran vocalist and jazz pianist; however, on her latest release she chooses to focus on singing and let Jessica Williams tackle the keyboard duties. The result is Songs, twelve standards that portray Ms. Graye in a favorable light, making intelligent musical decisions while adding her personal signature to well-known favorites. Highlights include her original lyrics to Ornette Coleman's "Turnaround," a bluer-than-blue "Blue... read more
Ben Markley Big Band - Clockwise: The Music of Cedar Walton
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
Walton is one of those key jazzbos that's coming closer and closer to being forgotten every day so it's extra props we toss to bandleader Markey for making this a big band date rather than a solo piano tribute. Putting back all the joyous swing that was in these tunes originally, this isn't so much a journey through the past as it is an exploration into parts unknown. With the kind of boldness that makes you stand up and cheer, I'll bet you... read more
Alex Budman and the Contemporary Jazz Orchestra - Instruments of Mass Pleasure
by Jack Bowers, All About Jazz
Mass Pleasure is the fourth album by the San Francisco-based Contemporary Jazz Orchestra, which is contemporary in the best sense of the word; that is, belonging to this age and time. While the nine charts are as modern as one could envision, they are firmly grounded in time-honored jazz and musical tradition, never forswearing rhythmic or harmonic convention and structure to accomplish some undefined or exotic purpose. The CJO, which was... read more
Gail Pettis - May I Come In?
by George Fendel, Platter Chatter
Maybe a few of you remember a very talented, generally unheralded singer named Ethel Ennis. Well, Gail Pettis reminded me a bit of Ms. Ennis, and that's to say, she's very good and sings effortlessly and with no "frosting." Great tunes here like Black Coffee, Desafinado, Show Me and lots more. Ms. Pettis' trio accompaniment includes Randy Halberstadt and former Portlander Darin Clendenin, both of whom are classy piano... read more
Charlie Porter - Immigration Nation
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
If you had great grand parents who came here not knowing how to speak English but able to push a cart through alleys 12 hours a day while they figured how to support their families and prosper, you don't have to be a guilty, white, liberal to feel for what immigrant families are going through today. This set, cut into 'leaving home' and 'new beginnings' sections underscores the immigrant experience sonically with a diverse crew that... read more
Rich Pellegrin - Solitude: Solo Improvisations
by Georges Tonla Briquet, Jazz'halo (Belgium)
In the summer of 2019, pianist Rich Pellegrin withdrew to the Langley United Methodist Church on Whidbey Island (near Seattle) with the aim of confronting the musician in himself while improvising. From those moments of musical reflection he selected twenty-five short pieces that were given adapted titles ('Improvisation I' - 'Improvisation XXV').
The fact that he played an Everett Concert Grand Piano from 1915 also determined the dark... read more
Angela Verbrugge - Somewhere
by Editor, The Walker's (Japan)
Angela's singing voice is expressive and exudes grace and kindness. Angela Verbrugge, a vocalist based in Victoria and Vancouver, Canada, toured Japan this fall. Although I received an invitation from Angela herself to perform in Tokyo, I was unfortunately unable to attend, but it seems to have been a great success. This is Angela's new work, featuring light-hearted singing of standard numbers and originals. The album also... read more
Josh Moshier & Mike Lebrun - Joy Not Jaded
by Philip Davia, Chicago Jazz Magazine
This new recording, which features all new compositions by highly talented musician/composers Josh Moshier and Mike Lebrun, opens with "Kings Road." The piano figure is mysterious and sparse and there is great use of space and rhythm in this piece. At certain points it has a very hip, avant-garde feel.
"Jambo" features a playful melody performed beautifully with the whole band playing part. Guest guitarist John Moulder plays a perfectly... read more
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