Browse some recent OA2 Reviews.
Ted Piltzecker - Peace Vibes
by Ferdinand Dupuis-Panther, Jazz'halo (Belgium)
The first is "Whisper Not". At first we hear swipes on eardrums and a lively bass. After that, the vibraphonist and also the trumpeter step onto the stage, so to speak. The sound space is shared by Ted Piltzecker and Brad Goode. The former lays down a very elaborate solo, accompanied by the drummer's brush playing. As a result, the bass player also has short solo moments. We alternately hear the woofer and the sound of the brass, which draws... read more
Paul Tynan & Aaron Lington - Bicoastal Collective: Chapter One
by Tom Hull, Jazz Prospecting, www.tomhull.com
Tynan plays trumpet and flugelhorn. From Canada, b. 1975, went to UNT, presumably picked up the big band arranging bug there. Third album. Lington plays baritone sax and bass clarinet. Also passed through UNT, on his way from Houston to San Jose, where he teaches. He has a previous quintet album. Ten-piece group, covers the big band bases without massed horn sections. The bulk of the album is taken up by the 7-part "Story of Langston Suite." The... read more
Randy Napoleon - Puppets - The Music of Gregg Hill
by Michael Doherty, Music Log Reviews
This is an interesting album, presenting musical depictions of puppets, composed by Gregg Hill and arranged by guitarist Randy Napoleon, with vocal work by Aubrey Johnson. The album opens with "Andy's Lament," which features some sweet vocal work as it begins, before settling into a cool groove. Then it is Randy Napoleon's guitar that takes focus, with Rodney Whitaker's groovy bass work supporting him. Whitaker then delivers an excellent lead in... read more
Seattle Womens Jazz Orchestra - Dreamcatcher
by Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
The mostly all-female Seattle Women's Jazz Orchestra is a solid stage band that plays straightahead jazz. Few surprises occur in the arrangements but one could imagine this band being fun to see in concert. Greta Matassa is impressive during her two vocals ("Fly Me To The Moon" and "As Long As I'm Singing") and the best soloists are tenor-saxophonist Sue Orfield and pianist Ann Reynolds. The ensembles are clean and full of spirit and most of the... read more
Ben Markley - Tell the Truth
by Thierry De Clemensat, Paris Move
Ben Markley stands among those rare composers who have mastered both the art of orchestral composition and the subtle craft of arrangement. From the very first track—bearing the album's title—the tone is unmistakably set. Markley's works possess a cinematic and novelistic quality, evoking the shadowed alleyways and brooding atmospheres of 1950s film noir. One can almost imagine Bogart emerging from a street corner, his silhouette cutting... read more
Jeff Baker - Of Things Not Seen
by Adam Greenberg, All Music Guide
Crossing the borders between jazz and religious music, singer Jeff Baker took on a mission to make religious music in a jazz form, or to add some religion to otherwise staid jazz. The main change in the music is a heavy dose of high-end instrumental improvisation in the pieces that come from the religious repertoire. Songs from strong traditions are to some degree standardized by their definition as traditional. That's ignored here, adding... read more
Hashem Assadullahi - Pieces
by Tim Willcox, Oregon Jazz Scene
Saxophonist and composer Assadullahi strikes gold with this rich recording featuring some of Oregon�s finest talent along with Denver trumpet virtuoso Ron Miles. Though Assadullahi relocated to New York after leaving the University of Oregon several years ago, his ties to this region remain strong with frequent visits, gigs, and collaborations. Guitarist Justin Morell, drummer Ryan Biesack, pianist James Miley, and Bassist Tyler Abbott all play... read more
Markus Rutz - Blueprints - Figure One: Frameworks
by Dave Rogers, WTJU
Trumpet player Markus Rutz offers five original compositions and covers Wayne Shorter's "Limbo", Harry Warren's "September In The Rain", Ellis Marsalis' "Syndrome" and Charlie Parker's "Segment". He is supported by Brice Winston (sax), Adrian Ruiz (piano), Matt Gold (guitar), and Marcus Varela (bass), with Xavier Breaker and Marcus Evans trading sharing drums and Hector Garcia (congas). It's a very pleasant menu with nice shifts as the disc... read more
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