Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Jessica Williams - Freedom Trane
by George Fendel, Jazz Society of Oregon
On her first trio recording in some years, Williams offers both original compositions in the spirit of John Coltrane and a selection of Trane's work as well. As she writes in liner notes: "John Coltrane has been my light through the darkness. When there are questions, I'll ask 'what would Philly Joe Jones or Dexter Gordon do'; but when things get really weird, I can ask the 'Trane." A treat for Portland jazz fans is the presence of Dave Captein... read more
David Friesen with Orchestra and Quartet - Testimony
by Cedric Hendrix, CirdecSongs
Bassist David Friesen has been a part of the jazz scene for more than 50 years. Clearly, he has nothing to prove. Testimony (Origin Records) feels almost like a work of classical music, regardless of whether he's working with a quartet or an orchestra. The music is deep and intimate, rarely shouting louder than a whisper. It has the sound of the veteran musician baring his soul for all to hear. We are fortunate to be able to accompany Friesen on... read more
Peter Erskine & The JAM Music Lab All-Stars - Vienna to Hollywood: Impressions of E.W. Korngold & Max Steiner
by Bill Milkowski, DownBeat
Erskine's second collaboration with an all-star ensemble from the Vienna-based JAM Music Lab pays tribute to two Austrian composers who escaped Nazi terror, fled west and ended up creating the template for Hollywood film scoring. Principal arrangers Erskine and pianist Danny Grissett have taken some liberties with these old-school film cues, like adding an Afro-Cuban percussive undercurrent and swinging solo section on "March of the Merry Men"... read more
Dave Hanson - Blues Sky
by Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz
Pianist Dave Hanson opens his Blues Sky with a joyful barnburner, "Two Masters," a tip of the hat to Bill Evans and Chick Corea, two of the biggest names in piano jazz. Hanson is probably best known for his work as composer-arranger and co-leader of Denver's H2 Big Band, but he pares things down on his Blues Sky album release, thanks in part to a weeklong artist-in-residence gig at Denver's Dazzle Jazz club, which allowed him... read more
Mark Taylor with RadioAction - After Hours
by , JazzReview.com
Alto and soprano saxophonist Mark Taylor and labelmates RadioAction recorded this 8- track session in Brooklyn in January 2002. Opening with Monk's "Bye Ya," they serve notice that they are as entrenched in a modern style as they are reverential of the masters. Following a strong opening statement by Taylor, pianist Whitney Ashe delivers a muscular solo augmented by the powerful rhythm team of drummer Matt Jorgensen and bassist Gary Wang.... read more
Clipper Anderson - Ballad of the Sad Young Men
by George Fendel, Oregon Jazz Scene
Anyone involved in Seattle's active jazz community knows respected bassist Anderson, a solid contributor for many years. But what about that "other" Clipper Anderson? I'll bet you didn't know about Clipper Anderson, the singer. In an era of "dime-a-dozen" female singers, how often do we encounter a male jazz singer? Not often, and that makes Anderson's debut vocal album all the more a winner. He conveys that "I've been there" feeling... read more
Anthony Branker & Ascent - Blessings
by JazzTimes, JazzTimes Education
Anthony Branker is a music professor and the head of the jazz program at Princeton University. Although a trumpeter, Branker is best known as an educator, conductor and composer. On "Blessings," his second recording as a leader, Branker is the non-playing leader of a very impressive septet that interprets nine of his compositions.
Branker wrote these pieces a few years ago when he was serving on the faculty of the Estonian Academy of Music... read more
Clark Sommers - Ba(SH)
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
In his day job, he might be the bass playing sidekick of Kurt Elling, but after hours, he's now in his 15th year with this progressive jazz trio also featuring Dana Hall and Geof Bradfield. Playing with the simpatico that keeps you together for so long without getting sick of each other, this is a BYG trip to the church basement that knows no margins or bounds other than not playing music that sucks. It's wild ride that reminds you what free... read more
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