For those not in the know, Francesco Crosara is an Italian jazz pianist and composer who has performed at select musical venues internationally. Furthermore, over his illustrious career thus far, he has also performed with Lionel Hampton, Freddie Hubbard, Roy Hargrove, Richie Cole, Von Freeman, Lilian Terry, Bobby Shew, Ira Sullivan, Don Menza, John Heard, Gabe Baltazar, Bruce Forman, Barbara
Morrison, Earl Palmer, and more. With a style that... read more
You can't argue with a program based on the Beatles songbook. It's been exploited by countless musicians successfully. On Strawberry Fields Forever Daria puts a mild, jazzy, country/pop twist on the classic tunes. Her voice is pleasant, crisp and inviting. Our favorites are "Come Together" and the swinging "Can't Buy Me Love". Beatles fans will enjoy yet another incarnation of their favorites while jazz fans may be enticed to expand their... read more
One need only read the producer's name of this fine multi-vocalists disc to understand its daring and probing personality. Jeff Baker has recorded several releases for the OA2 imprint of OriginArts, including Baker Sings Chet (2004), Monologue (2005), Shopping For Your Heart (2007), and, most recently, Of Things Not Seen (2009).
Baker is a durable, talented vocalist, who also has a talent for teaching and... read more
With One Day It Will , the composer and pianist Danny Green continues, successfully, his progressive exploration of new forms of fusion between jazz and classical music incorporating a string quartet to his group.
Examined with the perspective that the years allow, the musical career of Danny Green offers the listener a logical and progressive evolution, in which each piece, each album of the sound puzzle of his career makes sense... read more
Picking songs that are well known but not well worn, jazz singer Fisher does a reversal on the usual jazz diva route by making a quiet album of songs you think you know as opposed to giving Cole Porter more over exposure. With composers that rank well above chopped liver represented here, this is a quiet album for quiet times when you want to shut most of the world out. Sexy without trying, this is the real deal for jazz vocal fans that want... read more
Alex Budman and others on this San Francisco CD may not be as well known but listening to this
gives an accurate picture how ėmonster' talented these guys really are... There's a taste of Slide Hampton and Joe Henderson orchestrations here. Up and down the coast reflects an eager jazz reflection as there's a very hip elegant underscore here, with time signatures reflecting very hip mist of San Francisco. I think of old friend Jack Springer,... read more
Tenor saxophonist Juli Wood leads her quartet in transforming eight Finnish folk songs into jazz pieces. The songs are somewhat mellow but swing well and draw the listener into the wonderful melodies which recall the most wonderful aspects of the cool jazz era. Wood is supported by Alejandro Urzagaste (guitar), Clark Sommers (bass), and Mike Schlick (drums) on this splendid set. Cool, swinging, and fresh!... read more
This is a solid, straight-ahead piano trio in a well-chosen program. They play two originals and seven fine, but far from overworked standards. The arrangements are fresh sounding. The playing ranges from gently appealing on the old pop standard "I wish I Knew" to hard driving on Gigi Gryce's "Hymn of the Orient." These Chicago-based musicians are young, yet already in demand as sidemen for club dates and recording sessions. Ben Paterson is... read more
This is just a small collection of the OA2 Records reviews. Click here to view all reviews or try to Search for your favorite CD title.
Darden Purcell - Love's Got Me in a Lazy Mood
by Illiam Sebitz, 5 Finger Review
Libby York - DreamLand
by C. Michael Bailey, Wild Mercury Rhythm
Live Edge Trio with Steve Nelson - Closing Time
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
Paul Tynan & Aaron Lington - Bicoastal Collective: Chapter Six
by Ruud Jonker, FWD Magazine (Netherlands)
Angela Verbrugge - Somewhere
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
Idit Shner & Mhondoro - Ngatibatanei / Let Us Unite!
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
Anthony Stanco - Stanco's Time
by Michael van Gee, Jazz 'N' More (Switzerland)
Charlie Apicella & Iron City meet The Griots Speak - Call to Action / Call to Prayer
by Kira Grunenberg, DownBeat
Angela Verbrugge - Somewhere
by Katchie Cartwright, All About Jazz
Jason Keiser - Kind of Kenny
by Ferdinand Dupuis-Panther, Jazz'halo (Belgium