Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Jessica Williams - The Art of the Piano
by -Chris Robinson, Earshot Jazz
College sports reporters, analysts and commentators (especially those on the West Coast) describe what they believe to be an East Coast bias when it comes to team rankings. The same can be said for the lack of national recognition of some of Seattle's ? and arguably the nation's ? best jazz artists. I dare you: just try and find any Seattle artists (save for Bill Frisell, Wayne Horvitz and recent NYC transplant Tom Varner) listed in JazzTimes'... read more
Toby Koenigsberg - Sense
by Vanessa Salvia, Eugene Weekly
To really get a feel for Toby Koenigsberg's new CD, Sense, you have to hear it. It's smooth jazz
piano that, to my ears, is reminiscent of early Miles Davis transcribed for piano, bass and
drums. Koenigsberg is assistant professor of jazz piano at the UO, where he earned his
undergraduate degree in music before furthering his education at both Eastman and the Peabody
Conservatory.
He formed a new group in January, after the recording... read more
Michael Orenstein - Aperture
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
An LA based jazz piano cat t hat's paid his dues while being influenced by Herbie Hancock seems to have waited until just the right time to deliver his auspicious debut. Kind of smooth jazz with bite, this is top shelf sitting down jazz that moves and grooves with fine style and chops. Classy throughout, this is the tour de force you are always looking... read more
Anthony Branker & Ascent - Blessings
by Jerome Wilson, Cadence
Composer Anthony Branker does not play anything on Blessings but he has assembled an impressive group of musicians, including Ralph Bowen, Steve Wilson, and Bryan Carrott, to perform his work. Branker's music falls under the broad Mainstream Jazz umbrella. His pieces are heavy on melody and, as their titles suggest, have a decidedly spiritual feel. "Ascent" is a strongly uplifting piece with soaring horns supported by Carrott's vibes.... read more
Dick Reynolds - Music & Friends
by Lloyd Sachs, Jazzespress
Back in the '60s, Dick Reynolds was the house pianist at Mr. Kelly's, Chicago's famous Rush Street club where stars like Sarah Vaughan and held forth. He also was a king of the commercial jingles jungle. Reynolds has been in retirement since 1996, but he doesn't sound retiring on Music and Friends, a lively, impeccably arranged big band effort whose original compositions range effortlessly from swing to Latin to funk.
With its... read more
Brad Goode - Polytonal Big Band: The Snake Charmer
by Editor, Modern Drummer
Don't let the "polytonal" name fool you, this is a nice and pretty traditional big band with some extra-expressive soloing (that's part of the "polytonal" ingredient,) playing very nice and well-conceived charts. Most of the compositions and arrangements are by trumpeter Brad Goode and they run the gamut from inside and swingin' to slightly funky. Goode's arranging approach is where more of the polytonal aspect of the band enters, but it isn't... read more
Scott Reeves - Portraits and Places
by Brian Keegan, International Trombone Association Journal
Portraits and Places is a big band record highlighting the writing and playing talents of Scott Reeves, and additionally Steve Wilson on woodwinds. While not specifically a "trombone album," Portraits and Places showcases some great playing from trombonists Matt McDonald and Max Seigel, and of course Scott Reeves himself.
The album starts out with "The Soulful Mr. Williams." The brooding textures from the trombone section... read more
Thomas Marriott - Urban Folklore
by Andrew Luthringer, Earshot Jazz
"The job of a musician is to illustrate the human condition." On his latest album, ace trumpeter Thomas Marriott lays out his musical ethos. Marriott conceived the nine original tunes on Urban Folklore as musical story-telling, evocations of shared human experience.
While knowing the underpinnings behind Marriott's musical concepts may deepen the experience, it's not required to revel in the music itself - vigorous post-bop,... read more
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