Veteran Portland bassist and composer David Friesen is a vital part of the Pacific Northwest jazz scene, and has recorded with the disparate likes of Stan Getz and Sam Rivers, Woody Shaw and Mal Waldron. Now, at age 72, he's released a two-disc set of original music, captured live with his Circle 3 Trio in performances in Oregon and Arizona, and in a studio session in Germany. Where the Light Falls, as its title suggests, presents a... read more
Over the last 10 years, trumpeter Cuong Vu has made an impact as an innovator who filters music through the prism of his imagination. He has been agile enough to fit into bands as diverse as those led by Myra Melford and Pat Metheny, and has also carved a niche for himself as a leader who turns his compositions into distinctive portraits of startling imagery. On Leaps of Faith, he focuses his attention on three jazz standards, two pop tunes and... read more
It's always amusing when a jazz snob claims that jazz and classical are the only legitimate forms of music and that popular culture, past and present, has no artistic value whatsoever. Typically, those who make such ludicrous statements will turn around and sing the praises of The Great American Songbook, meaning prolific Tin Pan Alley pop composers such as George Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Harry Warren and Cole Porter; in other words, they are... read more
Mike Pope was a flurry of activity at the Anthony Jackson tribute concert at Matt Garrison's Shapeshifter Lab in Brooklyn this past February. From rehearsing "Race With the Devil on Spanish Highway" with Al Di Meola on his signature Fodera 6-string, to discussing a new upright he bought with Stanley Clarke, to jumping in last-minute to take a straight-ahead piano solo on "Nica's Dream," to giving a heartfelt speech to Jackson about the profound... read more
Jazz innovator, early soprano saxophone pioneer, gifted improviser with a tone so distinctive it can be recognized within microseconds--this is what musically knowledgeable folks tend to think of when Sidney Bechet's name comes up. Composer? Not so much. But the New Orleans legend's catalog of originals was sizable, and fellow soprano master Dave Liebman has done us all a service by researching and interpreting a few highlights, with the expert... read more
Carlos's high-energy & high-talent tenor and soprano sax work always gets high ratings here... I reviewed him just a while back in issue # 164, & this newest release is even better... you'll also hear great playing from Victor Garcia on Trumpet, Flugelhorn; Stu Mindeman - Piano, Rhodes; Josh Ramos - Bass; Xavier Breaker - Drums; Cheryl Wilson - Vocals; Scott Hesse - Guitar; Steve Strand - Flugelhorn and Michael B. Nelson -... read more
Les DeMerle and his wife, vocalist Bonnie Eisele, released a previous album of Gypsy jazz-inspired pieces back in 2009 that showed some hints of greatness when DeMerle and Eisele were able to combine effectively with their Gypsy jazz counterparts, and a bit of musical confusion when they weren't able to meet in the middle. Here, the two factions work together much more cleanly. Where DeMerle and Eisele had a tendency toward power in the past,... read more
She might be switching it up this time around, but one thing is certain, she still has that Joni Mitchell discovering jazz vibe to her sound. Working this time out with a band and contributing some originals as she also widens her set list to more than one composer, this is a set that gathers the things that make the jazz vocalist what she is---and that's interesting on all counts. Solid stuff for adult listeners looking for some solid adult... 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