Browse some recent OA2 Reviews.
Jay Lawrence - Thermal Strut
by John Henry, Audiophile Audition
Lawrence is not just a drummer but also a composer, arranger, clinician, recording artist, and has been a judge at many jazz festivals. He has performed with such names as Bob Mintzer, Eddie Daniels, Clark Terry and Phil Woods. But my main interest here was the pianist in the trio, who I had to pleasure to hear recently in person at the Newport (OR) Jazz Festival. Tamir Hendelman hails from Israel, and has performed with such names as John... read more
Darden Purcell - Love's Got Me in a Lazy Mood
by C Michael Bailey, Wild Mercury Rhythm
Darden Purcell is the Director of Jazz Studies, Jazz Voice instructor, and director of the Mason Jazz Vocal Ensemble at George Mason University. As such, she is an in-demand jazz educator who has been a guest artist/clinician/conductor at Capital University, Illinois Wesleyan University, Texas Tech, Virginia Tech, Southern Nazarene University, Tiffin University, Indiana State School Music Association, Virginia Music Educators Association (VMEA),... read more
Francesco Crosara - Circular Motion
by Raul Da Gama, That Canadian Magazine
What constitutes interpretation of a musical composition? Surely every artist worthy of his [or her] name seeks to internalise the message of the music he [or she] chooses to perform in hopes of sharing a unique perspective with the audience. In the best of cases, that perspective is highly individual, shaped by a myriad of factors, including age, physique, training, culture, imagination, curiosity, and life experience, among countless... read more
George Cotsirilos - On The Rebop
by Ric Bang, The Davis Enterprise
George Cotsirilos is relatively unknown outside the San Francisco jazz community. He plays guitar beautifully, with great phrasing and a genuine jazz feel.
"On the Rebop" features Cotsirilos' trio, which includes Robb Fisher (acoustic bass) and Ron Marabuto (drums). These two musicians also work primarily around the Bay Area, and actually are better known that Cotsirilos.
Fisher toured with Cal Tjader's group for more than six years, and... read more
Nathan Eklund Group - Coin Flip
by Brad Walseth, Jazz Chicago
Trumpeter Nathan Eklund is back with his fourth release as a leader on Coin Flip another strong effort full of solid playing and swinging and melodic original compositions. He is reunited with saxophonist Craig Yaremko and joined by Fender Rhodes player Steve Myerson, bassist Kellen Harrison and drummer Shawn Baltazor. The music's somewhat retro feel is offset by Myerson's electric piano, and his playing is delightful, but his reliance of the... read more
Danny Green Trio Plus Strings - One Day It Will
by Raul da Gama, JazzdaGama
Danny Green is one of those pianists who would have made Debussy proud. This isn't because he is the kind musician who is ideally suited to play Debussy or because this album, One Day It Will features his now-iconic trio with strings. But when Danny Green plays the piano you forget that the instrument has hammers. He has that kind of delicate, almost silken touch. And he has power too, which is how he is able to convey mighty flapping of wings... read more
Electric Squeezebox Orchestra - Cheap Rent
by Hobart Taylor, KUCI, Irvine, CA
From San Francisco, this big band is very hip and contemporary, just ahead of the beat. When you think "here are the same old moves," harmonies shift, intonation varies and yet none of the swing is lost.... read more
Ben Markley Quartet - Slow Play
by Paul Rauch, All About Jazz
4-STARS Pianist/composer Ben Markley has shown deft touch in hand picking projects that express the broad range of his relationship with the music. Since 2017 he has produced a rousing big band tribute to Cedar Walton, and a slick quartet record with saxophonist Greg Osby. Clockwise: The Music of Cedar Walton (OA2, 2017) featured Markley's insightful arrangements of the beloved pianist's tunes, utilizing fellow faculty members at the... read more
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