Browse some recent OA2 Reviews.
Doug Hamilton - Jazz Band
by John Henry, Audiophile Audition
Most exciting big band disc I've heard this year! I'm not even sure at what point a fairly good-sized ensemble - in this case ten players - officially becomes a big band. But the bottom line here is that Hamilton follows the contrapuntal writing style of arranger Bill Holman, just about the best in the business in my estimation. And thru careful vice leading and harmonies, plus shifting around some of the ten players? part, Hamilton often... read more
Erik Jekabson - A Brand New Take
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
If you've ever wondered what makes John Mayer interesting after all this time, maybe it's because he has this jazzbo lurking in the background putting some punch into the kind of mopey sounds that would inspire Taylor Swift---for a while. Left to his own devises with a Bay Area crew, the trumpeter knows how to blow up a good kind of holy racket that takes improv in and out of the moment but always on point. Showing no bottom to his well after... read more
The Taylor / Fidyk Big Band - Live At Blues Alley
by Edward Blanco, EJazzNews
Celebrating the 40th anniversary of the world famous Blues Alley jazz club in Washington, DC, The Taylor/Fidyk Big Band proceeded to blow the house down in one swinging performance captured on tape for their second recording and follow up to their 2002 debut, "A Perfect Match."
Composer/arranger Mark Taylor and drummer Steve Fidyk anchor an eighteen-piece big band comprised of some of the best musicians from the DC area, all veterans from... read more
Darden Purcell - Love's Got Me in a Lazy Mood
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
The D.C. resident and vocalist Darden Purcell finds herself in the sounds of the '60s for this 3rd recording as leader, where Joe Locke, Shawn Purcell, Todd Simon, Jeff Reed and Todd Harrison are along for the timeless listen.
"Willow Weep For Me" opens the listen with Purcell's smooth voice alongside Simon's elegant keys and Locke's flowing vibes, and the title track follows with a sublime intimacy that uses Harrison's reserved drums... read more
Vince Norman / Joe McCarthy Big Band - Bright Future
by Adam Greenberg, All Music Guide
Saxist Vince Norman and percussionist Joe McCarthy got their D.C.-area big band together for a second round in Bright Future, the follow-up to 2007's Words Cannot Express. The result is in many ways outstanding and in many ways somewhat stereotypical. On the market today, there are both classic forms of big band (mimicking the stomp and swing bands of old) and entirely modern forms of big band (such as Chris Walden, also on the Origin label),... read more
Ben Winkelman Trio - The Knife
by John McBeath, The Australian
Ex-Melbourne pianist Ben Winkelman, New York based since 2010, has just released his fourth trio album, this one recorded in, and inspired by New York. His first, Stomps, Pieces & Variations appeared on Jazzhead in 2005. Winkelman's playing has certainly evolved since he moved to the US, but he remains interested in Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, and Klezmer music - a style of Jewish traditional music often played at weddings - as well as classical... read more
Todd DelGiudice - Pencil Sketches
by Ric Bang, Jazz Scan
Back when jazz was in its prime, most artists were lucky if they finished high school before entering the profession. If college even entered their scene, it was after dues had been paid on the road and, if talented enough, they had become a star with a big band.
The opposite often is the case with today's musicians; they earn multiple degrees in universities that usually offer both jazz- and classical-oriented courses, and then become teachers... read more
Matt Olson - Open Spaces
by George W Harris, Jazz Weekly
Saxist and leader Matt Olson brings a two sax lead with Abib Young over the rhythm team of Matt Dingledine/g, Shannon Hoover/b and Justin Watt/dr on this decalogue of originals. Mostly on tenor, he brings his sweet soprano into the mix with a lovely vibrato that dances with Dingledine on "Gravity and Levity" and the sweet "Redbud". His tenor is warm and mellow, creating palpable harmonies with Abib's alto on "Open Spaces" and forming a rich... read more
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