It's been seven years since the last big band album from composer/arranger Chris Walden, the Kurt Marti Suite for big band and choir-much too long. But if it takes waiting that long for an album as fine as the newly released Full-On!, how can you complain? Los Angeles-based Walden has busied himself conducting and arranging for artists as diverse as Neil Young, Stevie Wonder, Diana Krall and Rihanna, and a raft of others - so... read more
West coast vocalist and teacher Laurie Antonioli has had a storied jazz career (which she has mentioned committing to the page one day). Presently, she is enjoying a calm period of determined evolution and realization that has resulted in her most recent recordings: American Dreams (Intrinsic Music, 2010), Songs Of Shadow, Songs Of Light: The Music Of Joni Mitchell (Origin Records, 2014) and Varuna (Origin Records, 2015). Antonioli extends her... read more
Every once in a while, Bobby Broom threatens to recede into the background, the once-prized picture on the wall you no longer notice. Then, for those of us who happen to overlook the local guitarist's weekly gigs at Evanston's Pete Miller's or the Green Mill (with the Deep Blue Organ Trio), he puts out a head-slappingly good record like this and the process begins anew.
The Way I Play is culled from a four-month span last year during Broom's... read more
Chris Walden's big band uses some of the same Los Angeles-based players but his arrangements are generally more modern, even when the pieces are "Cherokee," "Stolen Moments" and "You Took Advantage Of Me." Walden is clearly quite familiar with post bop while also loving the big band tradition. His arrangements are full of subtle surprises and heated solos. The soloists, most of whom are just featured on one song apiece, are trumpeters Kye... read more
Hall of Heroes
Fronting a stellar quartet, Jared Hall salutes the trumpet voices that ignited his passion.
As heard on his energetic yet often reflective recording Influences (Origin), Jared Hall pays affectionate homage to trumpet players who fired his imagination when he was first delving into jazz. Buoyant opener "Song for Shaw" conjures the late Woody Shaw's exuberant sound; the tender "Dear Roy" serves as both an elegy... read more
The superb voice of Cathy Segal-Garcia meets the fluid piano prowess of Phillip Strange here, where their dynamic chemistry is highlighted across two discs of tunes that were recorded in Osaka, Japan way back in December of 1992.
"I'm In The Mood For Love" starts the musical portion of the set with the pair interacting with much grace and playfulness in the cozy, classic tune that incorporates some charming scatting, and "You've Changed"... read more
If you love guitar, this album is a must. This instrument isn?t often presented in a solo jazz format, as is the case with this release, but the artist rarely is as talented as Mimi Fox. She?s a New York City native who began her music career at age 9 playing drums, then switched to guitar a year later. The first album she purchased was John Coltrane?s Giant Steps, a choice that settled her musical future. She began playing and touring... read more
Pianist Oscar Hernández (New York, United States 22-03-1954) presents Love The Moment , the second album he records along with his quintet Alma Libre. The Bronx-born and director of La Spanish Harlem Orchestra, published in 2017 The Art Of Latin Jazz , his first album with this format.
Hernandez, who has recorded in an infinite number of projects since the 1970s (La Conquistadora, Joey Pastrana, Celia Cruz, Pete "El Conde" Rodriguez, The... 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