Browse some recent OA2 Reviews.
The Taylor / Fidyk Big Band - Live At Blues Alley
by Jack Bowers, Cadence, Oct-Dec 2007
The second album by the superb Mark Taylor / Steve Fidyk Big Band was taped November 2, '06, at Blues Alley in Washington, D.C., and it lays bare a sizable chunk of the band's remarkable power and finesse. Much of the muscle is provided by drummer Fidyk, working in concert with the other sections, the finesse by composer/arranger Taylor who wrote three of the album's eleven selections, co-wrote "Brush Taps" with Louie Bellson, and arranged... read more
Ben Paterson - Breathing Space
by George Fendel, Jazz Society of Oregon
Hey, Origin Records ? don?t stop with just one CD by Ben Paterson and his trio. Origin gives us no indication where Ben Paterson comes from, but I can tell you that musically, he comes from the long and honored tradition of piano cats with great chops. Paterson, who looks like a youngster from the photo, plays with authority; understands the piano bop tradition from note one; leaves space intelligently (notice the album title) and swings like a... read more
Ben Winkelman - Heartbeat
by Neil Duggan, All About Jazz
4-STARS Awaiting the arrival of his first child while locked down in New York City during the pandemic were probably not the circumstances which pianist Ben Winkelman would ideally have chosen for writing new music. Nonetheless, taking inspiration from the anticipation of fatherhood and the feeling of isolation acted as the catalyst for the nine compositions which make up his sixth album, Heartbeat.
His previous albums focused on a... read more
Liam Sillery - Priorite
by Adam Greenberg, All Music Guide
Still exploring his sound with a strong quintet, trumpeter Liam Sillery is a long way off from his days with the California sound of the Acoustic Jazz Quartet. On Priorite, Sillery combines with his stalwart troupe for a solid session of post-bop, no modifications needed. While Sillery himself tends to take the lead solo in most places, flights of fancy that can show both speed and power, there's ample time given to the rest of the... read more
Hans Luchs - Time Never Pauses
by Gerald Siclovan, Gerald Siclovan
The superb young Chicago guitarist and composer Hans Luchs has recently released his first album, "Time Never Pauses". Luchs is a guitarist of considerable originality, and his unique performance style is echoed in the compositions he has written for this debut, which also includes pieces by Duke Ellington and Cole Porter.
Mr. Luchs has an original, wide-ranging and captivating compositional voice, and the album is interpreted by his band... read more
Barney McClure - Show Me!
by George Fendel, Jazz Society of Oregon
Barney McClure, a former mayor of Port Townsend, Washington, hasn't been heard from in quite a spell. So it's a treat to welcome him back in a solid setting with the University of Central Washington Jazz Band. Everyone cooks up a storm on several originals and standards such as "Willow Weep For Me," "Slow Boat To China" and the title tune. An album highlight is "Spot," a McClure original reprised here in B3 attire. Barney's a force on B3 to be... read more
Mark O'Connor - Suspended Reality
by Michael Steinman, Cadence
O'Connor and colleagues, heard on 'Suspended Reality', are sophisticated soloists and ensemble players. This is only O'Connor's second CD, and he shows great skill as a saxophonist. However, the CD presents all but two of his original compositions, which occasionally meander (his tribute to wife Betony an exception): the overall result is fervent but somewhat derivative late- period lyrical Hard Bop. But he is someone to keep an eye on in... read more
Stephen Martin - High Plains
by Kevin Rabas, Kansas City JAM Magazine
Stephen Martin has a killer new album, "High Plains." KC saxophonist, bandleader, and educator Martin spoke with JAM, revealing his influences, sound, and path as a musician as well as, for him, what comes next.
Martin spoke about the need to create, even during a pandemic, and the abundance of creative projects coming out right now, including his own new album: "Honestly, I wanted to get this (album) project out some time ago...but the whole... read more
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