Browse some recent OA2 Reviews.
Raul Agraz - Between Brothers
by Brian Zimmerman, Downbeat Magazine
FOUR STARS ****
Passion, confidence and an unshakable commitment to groove are the ingredients for great Latin jazz, and Venezuelan trumpeter Raul Agraz exhibits them in abundance on his solo debut. For this ambitious project, Agraz convened a summit of New York's best session players, with special seats reserved for a few titans of Latin jazz: vibraphonist Dave Samuels, reedist Paquito D'Rivera, pianist Luis Perdomo and... read more
Nelda Swiggett - This Time
by Harvey Siders, Jazz Times
Whenever a new genre manifests itself, the occasion is significant. In the person of Nelda Swiggett, we have what can be accurately labeled "Polite Jazz." There's no better way to describe her approach to the keyboard, or her vocalizing, or her writing. Labels aside, this third album by Swiggett, as a leader, is a stunning project, put together by three imaginative swingers -- pianist Swiggett; bassist Chris Symer; and drummer Byron Vannoy --... read more
Rich Pellegrin - Three-Part Odyssey
by Kyle O'Brien, Jazz Society of Oregon
Seattle is a place where jazz can be treated as an experiment, and pianist/composer Pellegrin, who is getting his Ph.D. at the University of Washington, takes a studious approach to his music. This is dense jazz from note one. The opener, "Nothing Comes to Mind," is an atonal but rhythmic exploration, with trumpeter R. Scott Morning and saxophonist Neil Welch sharing an obtuse melody before Pellegrin takes over on the solo, which gets hot and... read more
Michael Kocour - Wherever You Go, There You Are
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
The piano man goes fully front and center this time out putting his name out front and his piano in the spotlight. Influenced by greats like Hank Jones and Tommy Flanagan and a sidekick to golden oldies like James Moody and Benny Golson, Professor Kocour is no manqué when it comes to kicking it out old school in high style. Tackling a set of mostly chestnuts that you have to work equally as hard on to screw up as to make shine in a new way,... read more
Jun Iida - Evergreen
by Scott Yanow, DownBeat
Trumpeter Jun Iida, who makes his recording debut on Evergreen, grew up in St. Louis and Pittsburgh, spent time in Los Angeles, and during the past three years has lived in Seattle. Before relocating to New York, he recorded Evergreen to pay tribute to his period on the West Coast.
Iida has a mellow tone and a relaxed style. While his playing is somewhat laid back and unexciting, this is a solid start and his future development should be... read more
Wil Swindler - Universe B
by Kyle O'Brien, Jazz Society of Oregon
Saxophonist/composer Swindler's band isn't quite a big band ... call it a medium band. But its eleven members create a wall of sound, with the added textures of bass clarinet, alto flute, euphonium and French horn to make it interesting. From the get-go Swindler, the 2008 Gil Evans Fellowship winner, sets up the band as his tool for delivering smart compositions and arrangements. "Universe B" is a smokin' modern bopper with enough chord changes... read more
Jeff Baker - Baker Sings Chet
by Adam Greenburg, All Music Guide
Baker Sings Chet is the debut album from Jeff Baker, a Boise native that generally sings the choir and club circuits of the area. It's also a clever little play on Chet Baker's debut album title, Chet Baker Sings. The songs presented are all items that were associated with Chet Baker's repertoire over the years, with his classics all here to be heard. The musicians, aside from Baker, are largely veterans from the Origin Records stables, with Rob... read more
Gail Pettis - Here in the Moment
by Marc Myers, Jazz Wax
Gail Pettis' new CD, Here in the Moment, is a throwback to the 1950s, when singers crawled inside a song and moved it around a bit while delivering a straight-up rendition. To do this requires enormous knowledge and courage. If what you try on the fly doesn't cut it, you have to be skilled enough to craft an instant solution. Sarah Vaughan was famous for hop-scotching out of painted corners.
On this CD, Pettis, who spent nearly 20 years as an... read more
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