Browse some recent OA2 Reviews.
George Cotsirilos - On The Rebop
by Veronica Timpanelli, Jazz Review
George Cotsirilos, a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley, studied classical guitar privately through the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. He has been a member of the San Francisco Bay Area jazz community for many years, and best known for his work as a sideman, has performed with a wide array of artists such as Etta James, Bill Evans and The Whispers. He is more recently known for his recordings with the San Francisco... read more
Chris Parker - Late in Lisbon
by Javier Antonio Qui�ones Ortiz, All About Jazz
Pianist Chris Parker wrote all ten compositions on Late in Lisbon, incorporating a contemporary sounding �lan with high ended sonic textures provided by violinist Rob Thomas and saxist Peter Epstein on alto & soprano. The latter two have finely honed chops with untraceable sonic personalities, giving the date its singular aural character. The record manages to swing from a Latinized jam opener �where everyone but anchorman Tony Marino solos his... read more
Mason Razavi - Quartet Plus, Volume 2
by Dave Rogers, WTJU, Richmond
Guitarist/composer Mason Razavi offers nine original tunes and a cover of "Caravan" on this augmented quartet performance. The remaining quartet members are Bennett Roth-Newell (piano, keys), Dan Robbins (acoustic, electric bass), and Cody Rhodes (drums). The group is expanded to a nonet for the second half of the program with additional players Justin Smith (trumpet, flugelhorn), Ben Torres (alto sax, clarinet), Oscar Pangilinan (tenor, soprano... read more
Randy Napoleon - Waking Dream
by D. Glenn Daniels, The Jazz Page
With Waking Dream, guitarist Randy Napoleon explores the range of possibilities of a multi-guitar ensemble. Joined by guitarists Luke Sittard, Chris Minami, Jocelyn Gould, and Ben Turner, Napoleon crafts textures that are both lush and transparent, anchored by Rick Roe on piano, Rodney Whitaker on bass, and Quincy Davis on drums. The effort is replete with special guest performances from trombonist Michael Dease, saxophonist Walter Blanding,... read more
Daria - Strawberry Fields Forever
by Scott Yanow, LA Jazz Scene
Daria, a delightful singer from Northern California who in the past has explored a combination of jazz and World Music in addition to touring as a backup singer for the late Dan Hicks, recently released a CD on the Origin label (Strawberry Fields Forever, Songs By The Beatles) of her versions of Beatles songs.
However it was obvious from the beginning of her performance at Vitello's E-Spot Lounge that her interpretations are "reimagined" and... read more
Steve Kovalcheck - Buckshot Blues
by George W Harris, Jazz Weekly
If you're a guitar fan, you're going to love the clean and classy strings of Steve Kovalcheck, who trios up with bassist Jon Hamar and legendary drummer Jeff Hamilton for a mix of originals and covers. Of the latter, Kovalcheck is drop dead gorgeous with Hamar on "Skylark" and has a g as of a time chick-a-booming with Hamilton for "I've Been Everywhere," meanwhile nimble and suave with Hamilton's brushes on "What's New". The threesome have a... read more
Nathan Eklund - Crafty Christmas
by Rob Young, Urban Flux
As we approach the upcoming Christmas Season holiday music is beginning to emerge impeccably with expected side effects of cheer that fills the air with a fragrance draped in the spirit of love, peace and hope. Maybe it�s by happenstance regardless of our condition for our pleasure these sounds arrive with the sole purpose of inspiring us at this time of year. In this case, trumpeter, composer, flugelhorn and producer Nathan Eklund is one of... read more
Zach Rich - Solidarity
by Ferdinand Dupuis Panther, Jazz'halo (Belgium)
Briefly quoted from the press release for the album: "Trombonist, composer & arranger Zach Rich's "Solidarity" is an expansive, vivid program of original music, orchestrated for his Denver-based jazz quintet and chamber orchestra. Rich channels mentors, stage-mates & influences—from Billy Childs to John Clayton and Rufus Reid—infusing the music with a mergence of modern jazz dynamism and contemporary classical counterpoint, while his playing... read more
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