5-STARS The history of jazz arrangement is prodigious. Musicians like Billy Strayhorn, Duke Ellington, Gil Evans, Quincy Jones, Marty Paich, Stan Kenton, Terence Blanchard, Michel Legrand, Gerry Mulligan, Don Costa, Nelson Riddle, Glenn Miller and Artie Shaw integrated larger ensembles successfully. A wide variety of instruments (often with multiple "same" instruments) built a complex structure and dynamics. Big band arrangements and... read more
It's possible that the jazz fans of the next 1000 years will revisit the Seattle sound at the turn of this century. If so, John Bishop's independent label, Origin Records, will enjoy a number of reissues. Representing a small circle of local players, Origin’s catalog sports over a dozen releases, the most recent being one of the best: Steve Korn’s "Here and Now."
For his initial recording as a leader Korn plays with two of his... read more
A Hard Working Jazzman
ON and off the bandstand, Giacomo Gates fits the profile of the suave, cool jazz singer with ease. He favors stylish dark clothes for his tall, broad-shouldered frame, exudes a mixture of confidence and charm typical of a professional entertainer and casually drops hepcat slang into conversation, saying ''I'm gone,'' for instance, instead of ''goodbye.''
The unique ring he wears on the pinky of his right... read more
An ace guitarist that can play with the shimmering lines of Joshua Breakstone or Pat Martino covers songs even though he can write interesting stuff and calls in first call hands to lend a hand because it's obvious he cares. A solid, swinging date that sure to delight jazz guitar fans, everything you could want in a smoking performance is delivered here. Well done... read more
Jazz Blues European Union: - Thank you for taking the time to have this interview with Jazz Blues EU. Tell us about your music. When did you start performing?
Anthony Branker: - My involvement with music started as a trumpet player when I was 10 years old. In all honesty, I really wanted to play drums at first but was persuaded by two of my friends who already played trumpet that this was the "cool instrument." So, it was... read more
Rick's Pick Jazz combos without chordal instruments are usually a tough sell for me, but since Jeff Campbell has long been one of my favorite bass players I decided to give this one a spin - and I'm very glad I did. The group consists of Campbell, saxophonist/clarinetist/flutist Charles Pillow, and drummer Rich Thompson, and on this album they play nothing but standards, showing their range by tackling American Songbook ballads... read more
Jazz might be called the art of theme and variations, the art applying as much to the theme as the way a musician plays around with it. Everyone knows the themes, the tunes, whether written by a jazz composer/musician or someone working in a showbiz area considered not unadjacent. But rarely does anyone devote as much attention to the tune as unadorned entity as trumpeter Thomas Marriott does on this generally slow-tempo album.
If there is... read more
This session by pianist/composer Oscar Hernandez is strong on both art and Latin Jazz. He brings together a top notch team of Justo Almario/ts-fl, Jimmy Branly/dr, Christian Moraga/perc and Jorge Perez/b for ten sizzling originals. Trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos guests the slinking "Right On" while he teams with Almario for a peppy title track. The percussion dazzles on the snappy "Timeshift" and bops with delight on "ESPN Blues" while the leader... 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.
Abate Berihun & The Addis Ken Project - Addis Ken
by Hanna Kay, Cult News (Paris)
Abate Berihun & The Addis Ken Project - Addis Ken
by Budapest, Rudolf Radnai
Abate Berihun & The Addis Ken Project - Addis Ken
by Editor, Bman's Blues Report
Jared Hall - Hometown
by Editor, Bman's Blues Report
Dawn Clement - Dear Ms. Dearie
by Editor, Bman's Blues Report
Jared Hall - Hometown
by Dee Dee McNeil, Making A Scene
Affinity Trio - New Outlook
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
Michael Dease Big Band - Return Trajectory
by Thierry De Clemensat, Paris Move
Brad Goode Quintet Feat. Ernie Watts - Live Your Dream: Live at North Street Cabaret
by Thierry De Clemensat, Paris Move
Maja Jaku - Blessed & Bewitched
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect