Like Shackleton's epic voyage of survival in Antarctica, one struggles to imagine the time, resources, social skill and organizational acumen necessary to lead a jazz orchestra. Even more mindboggling is the idea of stepping into the shoes of Duke Ellington, Count Basie or Jimmie Lunceford, transcribing their classic big band recordings, and performing them live on your orchestra's debut CD.
Yet, Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra directors... read more
(Marlene Rosenberg's "Bassprint")is a splendid effort, showcasing a band with a breezy esthetic, and it boasts plenty of technique and taste from her collaborators: saxist Geof Bradfield, guitarist Scott Hesse, and the rapidly evolving young drummer Makaya McCraven.
But from the very first track, even those unfamiliar with Rosenberg might guess that the leader is in fact the bassist (and not just because she takes the album's initial solo).... read more
You get more with less with the drummerless Affinity Trio consisting of Eric Jacobson/tp, Pamela York/p and Clay Schaub/b on this mix of boppers and originals. York and Schaub take turns supplying the feel, with bluesy beauty for Jacobson's sweet horn on "Open Windows" and bringing an easy peppy feel to Cedar Walton's "Hindsight". York is elegant and soft for Jacobson's horn on "Theme For Ernie" with Schaub supplying nimble fingers on "Tin Tin... read more
Jazz pianists are like red wine, they should mature to taste mature and fuller. But Dominic J Marshall proves that rule does not always apply. Living in the Netherlands, the pianist came from Scotland in 2012, yielding a promising second CD with Icaros. Now he again makes a particularly strong CD, and while he is a young 24 years, at that young age he is already a very mature wine. To which grand cru does this lead?
Just like... read more
4 1/2 STARS American drummer and vibraphonist (Michael Waldrop) debuts in the role of bandleader. And, what a debut! Musically having to his credit a doctorate at the University of North Texas, where he was a member of the famed One O'Clock Lab Band. Another 10 years spent at a sideman for Jack Cooper in his Jazz Orchestra of the Delta in Memphis. The last decade he has also worked on the faculty for Eastern Washington University. Well... 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
Bassist Chuck Deardorf decided to focus on songs and artists who had influenced him earlier in his career. "Grain Waves" was a song he had composed with Matthew Wilson who plays drums on most of this set. Others include Kenny Barron, Keith Jarrett, Jack DeJohnette, Steve Swallow, Steve Winwood and two by Thelonious Monk. In addition to Deardorf, the main players are Dawn Clement (piano, Wurlitzer, electric piano, synthesizer) and Hans Teuber... read more
Il quartetto di Florian Hoefner -origini tedesche, residenza da anni a New York - è con Luminosity alla terza uscita discografica e si sente. L'intesa fra i musicisti è perfetta -Seamus Blake è subentrato a Mike Ruby ma sembra membro del gruppo da sempre -la musica ha la precisione di un orologio svizzero, fluisce senza scossoni e senza impedimenti. Vi è inoltre una chirurgica successione di brani dall'andamento lento e riflessivo con... 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