Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Benjamin Boone | Philip Levine - The Poetry of Jazz, Vol. 2
by William Minor, Bill's Blog
The third artist I would like to celebrate is Pulitzer Prize, National Book Award (twice!) winner and Poet Laureate of the United States (2011-1012) Philip Levine—and by "extension," saxophonist Benjamin Boone. I was fortunate to become friends with Phil, under unusual circumstance. We discovered we had attended the same Art Tatum/Erroll Garner concert in Detroit the mid-1950s, and we discovered we shared the same disease (vestibular:... read more
John Stowell | Michael Zilber - Live Beauty
by George Fendel, Oregon Jazz Scene
The gifted Portland guitarist John Stowell manages to get a record or two per year out there for his loyal listeners to enjoy. This time it is saxman Michael Zilber, who joins Stowell and the quartet before a live audience in Berkeley, California. Stowell and Zilber communicate effortlessly on six originals of varying moods and tempos. There is also one standard; the venerable "My Funny Valentine." and you have never heard it quite like... read more
Upper Left Trio - Cycling
by Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz
It's hard to put the finger on what makes for a successful piano trio set. Some of jazz's bona fide great keyboard players turn in less than inspired efforts, sets that just don't hold the listener's interest for the duration of an hour of music. It's probably the worst criticism that can be made of a recording - that it just doesn't hold interest. And the piano trio format can be particularly unforgiving.
And having said that, the other... read more
Rodney Whitaker - Outrospection: The Music of Gregg Hill
by Paul Simpson, The Answer Is In The Beat, WCBN
Rodney Whitaker, a Detroit-born musician and Professor of Jazz Bass and Director of Jazz Studies at Michigan State University, arranges several compositions by Lansing's Gregg Hill, with musicians from MSU's jazz faculty. The record was made under COVID lockdown with all the musicians socially distanced in different booths, but it still sounds cohesive. Whitaker's daughter Rockelle, who has a deep, sultry voice in the tradition of all the... read more
Greta Matassa - Portrait
by Paul Rauch, Earshot Jazz
It has been nearly a decade since vocal artist Greta Matassa has spoken to us via a new recording. With Portrait, Matassa covers the best of the songs she has performed with her working band of the past 10 years. The result is a solid, swinging collection of tunes steeped in intimacy.
Whether diving into Michel LeGrand's "Pieces of Dreams," or reimagining Bob Dylan's late 90's jewel, "To Make You Feel My Love," Matassa takes on each piece... read more
Nanami Haruta - The Vibe
by Dee Dee McNeil, Making a Scene
Nanami Haruta is a new trombone voice on the jazz scene. She's been a professional jazz musician since the age of fifteen.
"I started playing trombone at school when I was eight years old in a band of elementary school students playing jazz, which is rare in Japan," the young lady explains.
In 2019, Nanami Haruta won the most Outstanding Student Award at the Seiko Summer Jazz Camp in Tokyo. She also garnered the attention of trombone... read more
Jessica Williams - Songs For A New Century
by Ric Bang, The Davis Enterprise
Pianist Jessica Williams' newest album is, as fans have come to expect, another winner.
This prolific artist - more than 40 releases, and still counting - has been at the top of the talent pool for nearly 50 years. Only a few musicians have achieved such longevity, and the amazing aspect is that she's better now than ever before.
In addition, Williams is more than a consummate pianist; she wrote all but one of the tunes in this solo piano... read more
Bobby Broom - The Way I Play: Live In Chicago
by Alain Drouot, Downbeat, July 2008
Guitarist Bobby Broom is low-key but confident, which is often reflected in his playing. On this selection - culled from a series of live trio dates recorded in his hometown of Chicago - one gets to enjoy his most spirited side as well as a return to jazz standards and other staples. Throughout the session, Broom has a fine sense of pace. While he can deliver some dazzling lines, he also understands the virtue of patience and carefully plans his... read more
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