4 1/2 STARS Trumpeter Thomas Marriott has established his jazz credentials over the years through a collection of beautifully inspired and well received albums on the Origin Records label. His formidable chops, extensive vocabulary, respect for tradition and penchant for musical adventurism has put him into the conversation concerning the top practitioners of his instrument in modern times. Marriott has the rare ability to look deeply into the... read more
Nice straight-ahead set from saxophonist Pino. His nonet attains a strong head of steam and doesn't relinquish it. Best is just sitting back and listening to their flight... read more
If they'd had music like this in the 'burbs I grew up in, I wouldn't have had to search far & wide for "cool".... Thomas's penetrating trumpet work on tunes like the fantastic opener, "Apophis", are definitely the stuff of jazz legend... his choice of Orrin Evans on piano, Eric Revis on bass & Donald Edwards on drums shows total talent (just in the picking of the players). If it's magic or a spell that needs to be cast,... read more
The thrid release from Seattle-based Greta Matassa, who delivers her ten-song opus on "The Smiling Hour," favors a smoky, whisper-like delivery that matches the ambiance of this mostly laid-back affair, though several tracks demonstrate her considerable breadth. Matassa's stated goal is to take the listener through a "pleasant day," with bright beginnings and a reflective quietude at its conclusion. Contemporary songwriters are an obvious... read more
One of my favorite musical lineups is the saxophone-bass-drums trio. It's ideal for open ended musical exploration. It's highly democratic with all the instruments having an equal share in the ensembles, though inevitably the saxophone gets most of the solo space. Yet without a chordal instrument to lock things in, those solos tend to have a conversational quality. And the Seattle based trio of drummer John Bishop, alto saxophonist Rick Mandyck,... read more
You don't have to look far to find jazz bass players who specialize in one particular style or genre. There are very few, however, who double on upright and electric, can solo fluently on both instruments and can swing convincingly?probably the most elusive goal of so-called doublers. Seattle-based bassist Chuck Deardorf is one such elite performer. Transparence is a vibrant showcase, displaying the veteran sideman in a multitude of... read more
Drummer Steve Hass hit the scene hard playing with Ravi Coltrane and John Scofield, but we haven't heard from him in a while. Lo and behold, he appears on a beautiful record by vocalist and composer Nnenna Freelon, playing alongside pianist-accompanist extraordinaire Alan Pasqua. Freelon first recorded in the early 90s, and has released 15 records. She has a wonderful heartfelt, dark, and sultry voice, and has a magnificent knack for picking... read more
Time and space can take nothing away from certain musical relationships. There are those on-and-off partnerships that flourish regardless of the frequency of encounters and years gone by, and this is clearly one of them.
The connection between bass masters David Friesen and Glen Moore goes back some five decades. It yielded two previous duo recordings - In Concert (Vanguard, 1977) and Returning (Burnside, 1993) - and it continues to bear... read more
This is just a small collection of the Origin Records reviews. Click here to view all reviews or try to Search for your favorite CD title.
Bob Nell & Michael Bisio Trios - We Are Here
by Thierry De Clemensat, Paris Move
Andrew Kim - Lineage
by George W Harris, Jazz Weekly
Bob Nell & Michael Bisio Trios - We Are Here
by George W Harris, Jazz Weekly
Dawn Clement - Dear Ms. Dearie
by Dee Dee McNeil, Making A Scene
Andrew Kim - Lineage
by Thierry De Clemensat, Paris Move
Carl Schultz - The Road to Trantor
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
Barry Greene - Giants
by Editor, Bman's Blues Report
Gabriel Espinosa - The Brazilian Project
by Dee Dee McNeil, Making A Scene
Jon Hamar - Música Callada
by George W Harris, Jazz Weekly
Ben Patterson - Stretch
by George W Harris, Jazz Weekly