Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Kobie Watkins - Involved
by John Barron, All About Jazz
Perhaps the title to drummer Kobie Watkins' debut, Involved, makes reference to the Chicago native's involvement with some of the highest profile jazz artists around. A regular in the bands of saxophonist Sonny Rollins, guitarist Bobby Broom, and vocalist Kurt Elling, Watkins has proven himself a stand-out accompanist, possessing a confident blend of fire and sensitivity. With a slew of fellow Chicagoans, including Broom, trumpeter Pharez... read more
Kobie Watkins - Involved
by Oscar Groomes, O's Place Jazz.com
Drummer Kobie Watkins leads a band with James Austin (p), Clark Sommers (b) and several talented musicians playing brass. Guitarist Bobby Broom is featured on "Expressions", the best of four Watkins originals. We also enjoyed "Congo" with Pharez Whitted (t) and Ryan Cohen on the keys. Geof Bradfield plays sax on five tracks notably the hot blues of "Third Pew". The pace and mode are varied but Kobie is always Involved with tight beats on drums... read more
Jordan VanHemert - Survival of the Fittest
by Gary Fukushima, All About Jazz (Album Liner Notes)
For most of his life, Jordan VanHemert has been on a quest of growth and mastery as a saxophonist, composer and musician. But equally important have been his efforts to contextualize some of the difficulties of his life experiences within the deeper themes of his DNA, discovering in the process resilience, optimism and joy. Jordan's music is meant to convey empathy and solidarity to others who have also faced challenges in their lives. This... read more
Jared Hall - Influences
by Werner Stiefele, Rondo Das Klassic & Jazz Magazin (Germany)
Who remembers the trumpeters Woody Shaw (1944-1989), Roy Hargrove (1969-2018), Wallace Roney (1960-2020) or Tom Harrell (*1946)? Each of these four had their own style, and yet they seem to have been forgotten. However, jazz musicians can get just as much inspiration from them as from recognized trumpet greats such as Louis Armstrong, Clifford Brown, Dizzy Gillespie, Chet Baker or Miles Davis. For Jared Hall, born in 1985, the first four are... read more
Carlos Vega - Art of the Messenger
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
The Latin jazzbo makes a case for music being the international language by springing from his salsa roots into a tribute to Art Blakey and his hard bopping Jazz Messenger days. Showing his chops by doing a tribute through all original material, these messengers here are real crusaders that play the whole jazz and nothing but the jazz. Right on throughout, this set is a first class... read more
Andrea Brachfeld & Insight - Evolution
by Jane Kozhevnikova, All About Jazz
4-STARS Andrea Brachfeld is a critically acclaimed flutist, composer and educator. She has won multiple awards, including a grant from Chamber Music America and the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, and was once recognized as the best jazz flutist by Hot House magazine. Evolution features Brachfeld's longtime collaborators Bill O'Connell (piano), Harvie S (bass) and Jason Tiemann (drums).
While Brachfeld's previous album, Brazilian... read more
Florian Hoefner - Coldwater Stories
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
A solo piano set of cerebral, impressionistic jazz recorded in Germany by a native. Does it get anymore ECM than that? Miss those old days when Manny was making magic out of thin air? If this set isn't a return to those times that left leaners had a sonic aerie they could let their ears hide out in, then nothing is. Right on that money... read more
Matt Jorgensen +451 - Hope
by LYNN DARROCH, The Oregonian
This is not just another collection of intelligent contemporary jazz originals by a group of talented Pacific Northwest artists. It is one of more than 80 CDs produced by Origin Records, the prolific Seattle jazz label, publisher and presenting organization, and it is distinguished by the qualities that many of the label's products display: great writing, a fresh sound and excellent musicianship.
It's also by Origin Records co-owner Matt... read more
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