Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Kelly Brand Nextet - The Door
by Neil Tesser, JazzIs
The latest and best album by Chicago pianist and composer Kelly Brand. Brand brings an understated beneficence to her music: when she backs other players, she offers dark full chords, while her own solos are thoughtful, uncluttered affairs ? good stories told simply and well. Her narratives have another advantage in that they are always backed by Kelly Sill, one of the finest bass players of his generation ? and also Kelly Brand's husband. The... read more
Phil Kelly - Convergence Zone
by Bill Barton, Earshot
Composer/arranger Phil Kelly's new big band CD is truly a convergence zone between "tight" and "loose." Combining a stellar array of first-call studio players and smokin' jazz soloists from the Pacific Northwest with a few of his old friends from the Los Angeles, New York and Nashville scenes, Kelly has come up with a recording that combines consummate craftsmanship with flat-out fun in a most engaging fashion.
Kelly retired to the... read more
Phil Kelly & The SW Santa Ana Winds - My Museum
by Forrest Dylan Bryant, JazzTimes, February 2007
Like their meteorological namesake, this California counterpart to Phil Kelly's Seattle-based big band is breezy, warm, and unmistakeably L.A. The first half of the program finds the 19-piece ensemble working hard-swinging modern arrangements, until the title track slows things down with full strings and a soulful vocal by Greta Matassa. From there the band cruises along on some light funk and Latin numbers before coming full circle, ending... read more
Rodney Whitaker with the Christ Church Cranbrook Choir - Cranbrook Christmas Jazz
by Troy Dostert, All About Jazz
4-STARS Bassist Rodney Whitaker has been a huge presence in Michigan jazz for decades, with his leadership of the Michigan State University jazz program complementing his many other projects and giving him the opportunity to mentor upcoming generations of jazz talent. He has become a crucial ambassador for the music as well, with community outreach being a critical aspect of his mission. One of his most essential endeavors has been his... read more
Thomas Marriott - Flexicon
by Don Simpson, Audiophile Audition
For those outside of the Pacific Northwest, Seattle may not be known as a jazz city, but there are some stellar musicians in the region, and one of the best examples of what is going on in the Puget Sound vicinity is trumpeter Thomas Marriott. Marriott uses traditional, post-bop jazz as a starting point, but his character and personality encompasses a wide assortment of influences, which gives Marriott's latest offering, Flexicon, a... read more
Allison Adams Tucker - WANDERlust
by Ricky Kej, Amazon
Allison Adams Tucker's latest album is a brilliantly sung and produced set of songs that go straight to the heart. Starting with "When in Rome" is a song drenched in the romance of jazz and the purity of the vocals heightens the magic ten-fold :-) . Next up, "Vuelvo Al Sur" is a poetic song, the sensuality of the words, the melody and the vocals are mind-blowing! "A Thousand Years" opens with rather unique staccato piano tones overlaid by... read more
Chris Walden Big Band - Full-On!
by Scott Yanow, Downbeat
A busy arranger-composer in Los Angeles for the studios, films and television, Chris Waldon has also been leading a worthy if part-time jazz big band. On Full On! six singers are featured on seven selections, but Walden's orchestra is never merely in the background. In fact, with a few exceptions, the singers can be thought of as guest soloists who take their turns in the spotlight along with the instrumental soloists and the... read more
The Spin Quartet - In Circles
by Paul Abella, Chicago Jazz Magazine
There's not a lot to know about The Spin Quartet, or their album, In Circles. There's no liner notes, and to tell the truth, I don't know much about leader and trumpeter Chad McCullough. I know that Clark Sommers has appeared on a few of my favorite local discs from the last few years. I know that Kobie Watkins is a beast behind the drums, and everything I've ever heard from saxophonist Geof Bradfield has been excellent. So, we can be... read more
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