Chenxi Pan is a storyteller. She has a pleasing tone and has composed all thirteen songs on this album. Her vocals are tenor saxophone-smooth. In fact, on the first song "Hymn for the Spring" she and sax man, Nathan Nakadegawa-Lee blend sweetly, like chocolate and caramel. The bluesy guitar of George Rykova adds another texture to the arrangement.
Born and raised in China, Chenxi Pan changed her path of study from literature to music,... read more
In the beginning, we had Red Norvo, followed by Lionel Hampton, Magie Hyams, Terry Gibbs, Milt Jackson, Cal Tjader and Gary Burton. They've now been joined by Joe Locke. All are jazz vibraphone artists.
Although a relative youngster (still in is 40s), Locke has been playing the instrument for more than 30 years; his fame has risen during the most recent decade. He began playing with the "big boys" - Gillespie, for example - while still... read more
From Galicia comes another new sample of the strength of jazz in that area. The saxophonist Xosé Miguélez is the protagonist with his 'Ontology'.
Miguélez, apart from his work in 'Ontology', is part of the XMA trio, together with the double bass player Xacobe Mart'nez Antelo of which we recently referenced his latest work 'Capturas' - http://www.distritojazz.com/discos-jazz/xacobe -martinez-antelo-trio-capturas - and also works alongside... read more
The saxophonist SERGIO GALVAO and the guitarist LUPA SANTIAGO met on a tour in 2014 and spirited up. Sergio Galvaon, who later moved to France, formed a trio with two French musicians, bass player CLEMENT LANDAIS, drummer FRACK ENOUF. While planning to record as a trio in the spring of 2017 I was planning to record together as Lupa Santiago will tour Europe in the same period.
The title "2 × 2" would be two Brazilians and two French people.... read more
The Kelly Brand Nextet is the brain-child of Chicago pianist/composer Kelly Brand. The ensemble, a vehicle for Brand's compositional vision features a crew of top-notch Windy City musicians who swing with an aggressive edge. Something of a family affair, The Door features Brand's husband Kelly Sill on bass and on one track, her daughter Naomi Sill on cello.
The Door is made up of a number of compelling musical components, the most intriguing... read more
Jazz trumpeter, composer and producer Thomas Marriott is a veteran of the national jazz scene who's earned seven Golden Ear awards, produced 11 albums as a leader for Origin Records, and toured with greats like Maynard Ferguson and Roy McCurdy, as well as contemporary jazz artists Orrin Evans and Joe Locke." (http://thomasmarriott.net/biography/) This is Marriot's twelfth release as a leader and it is a real gem! In addition to Marriott's... read more
EDITOR'S PICKS, July 2019 If you don't know bassist Marlene Rosenberg from her work with Paul Wertico or Ed Thigpen, OK. But she's gigged with a virtual murderers' row of players and had Makaya McCraven in her group before most folks had heard the drummer's name.
Origin label honcho and drummer John Bishop had been paying attention, though.
"The first time I noticed her was when she was in Joe Henderson's band with Renee Rosnes and... read more
Drummer Peter Erskine (Weather Report) has some terrific timing, recording a set of beautiful compositions by Leonard Bernstein that coincides with the film Maestro. Bernstein sets have been imbedded in jazz since Manny Albam (1957) with highlights including Andre Previn (1959), Cal Trader (1960), Dave Brubeck (1960), Stan Kenton (1961), Oscar Peterson (1962), Dave Liebman (1990), Richie Cole (1996), Bill Charlap (2003), Joe Policastro (2013),... 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