Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
John La Barbera Big Band - Grooveyard
by Arturo Gomez, KUVO (Denver)
John was born into a musical family in upstate New York, his father and brothers are musicians. John began playing trumpet for the Buddy Rich and Woody Herman big bands where it soon became obvious that he had a knack for composing and arranging. Over the decades La Barbera has played with the finest jazz artists as well as symphony orchestras. In 1992 he and drummer Sherrie Maricle founded the all-female big band, Diva which has become very... read more
Clarence Penn - Monk: The Lost Files
by C. Michael Bailey, All About Jazz
5-STARS A well-established creative paradigm exists to justify Clarence Penn & Penn Station's recording Monk: The Lost Files. "Classical" music is often considered that music, composed long ago, that has stood the test of time, remaining viable to the public in recordings and live performance. These composers of this music tend to be Europeans from the last Millennium. It is the only logical jump to include American jazz... read more
John Moulder - The Eleventh Hour
by Bill Meredith, Jazziz
New York City may be where jazz musicians go to seek stardom, but Chicago is no Second City for those looking to work. That lesson's clear to guitarist John Moulder, who teaches at nearby Northwestern University (where he earned a master's in music) and has crafted a 20-year recording career, culminating in the banner work on "The Eleventh Hour: Live at the Green Mill."
Captured live at the venerable uptown cocktail lounge, Moulder's... read more
Bobby Broom - The Way I Play: Live In Chicago
by Ben Franklin, Cashbox Magazine
Guitarist Bobby Broom has been recording since the late 1970s. As sideman, he recorded with such leaders as Sonny Rollins, Stanley Turrentine, Kenny Burrell, Dizzy Gillespie, and David Murray. He led sessions for Criss Cross, Delmark, and Premonition. He is one of the founders of the Deep Blue Organ Trio. Despite these associations, he is less well known than he should be.
His current trio, with bassist Dennis Carroll and drummer Kobie... read more
Giacomo Gates - Centerpiece
by Scott Yanow, L.A. Jazz Scene
Giacomo Gates is one of the top male jazz singers around today. His scat singing, use of vocalese and bebop attitude plant him as a successor to Eddie Jefferson, King Pleasure and Dave Lambert. Centerpiece is his finest recording to date.
Joined by pianist Harold Danko, bassist Ray Drummond and drummer Greg Bandy with guest appearances from altoist Vincent Herring and guitarist Vic Juris, Gates is heard throughout in prime form. Among the... read more
David Friesen - A Light Shining Through
by George W Harris, Jazz Weekly
A rich tapestry of ideas both concise and drawn out are delivered by David Friesen, who plays the Hemage bass, piano and percussion with a mix and match team of saxist Joe Manis, percussionists Alex Fantaev & Charlie Doggett and the guest appearances of the Kyiv Mozart String Quartet. The sixteen pieces include a handful of pieces 5-6 minutes with strings such as the graceful "Softly Tells The Story" and A Light Shining Through" that include... read more
Carlos Vega - Bird's Ticket
by Dick Metcalf, Improvijazzation
In addition to Carlos's totally engaging saxophone, you've got Victor Garcia on Trumpet, Stu Mindeman doing Piano and Rhodes, Josh Ramos with Acoustic Bass and Xavier Breaker on Drum set on this all-original set... the opener alone makes it clear that this is a jazz group you'll want to listen to over & over again, and takes me (way) back to my earliest days in jazz listening... "A Confluence in Chi-Town" clocks in right at 9:00, and will have... read more
Scott Reeves Jazz Orchestra - Without a Trace
by Scott Yanow, New York City Jazz Record
A fine trombonist and alto flugelhornist, Scott Reeves has led small groups but it is with big bands that he really excels. He first recorded with the Indiana University Jazz Ensemble in 1969 but more significant have been his recorded arrangements and solos with orchestras led by Dave Liebman, Michael Treni and Bill Mobley. His own orchestra's debut recording was 2015's Portraits and Places. For the latest recording by his 17-piece band, Reeves... read more
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