Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Giacomo Gates - Centerpiece
by THOMAS STAUDTER, New York Times
A Hard Working Jazzman
ON and off the bandstand, Giacomo Gates fits the profile of the suave, cool jazz singer with ease. He favors stylish dark clothes for his tall, broad-shouldered frame, exudes a mixture of confidence and charm typical of a professional entertainer and casually drops hepcat slang into conversation, saying ''I'm gone,'' for instance, instead of ''goodbye.''
The unique ring he wears on the pinky of his right... read more
Geof Bradfield - Our Roots
by Thomas Cunniffe, Jazz History Online
Back in 1965, Clifford Jordan recorded an album of songs written by Leadbelly called "These Are My Roots". The album recast several folk tunes and blues in a modern jazz style without losing the flavor of the original songs. When Chicago tenor saxophonist Geof Bradfield was asked to recreate a classic jazz album of his choosing for a local concert series, he chose the Jordan album, and on his new CD, "Our Roots", he reprises four of those tracks... read more
Clark Sommers - Ba(SH)
by C. Michael Bailey, All About Jazz
The spirit of Thelonious Monk abounds on bassist Clark Sommers' Ba(SH). Monk's music is magnetically drawn to odd formats like this saxophone trio, sporting Geof Bradfield on reeds and Dana Hall on drums. There is no tether in this music; all participant are free in the most free sense. The recital hold together well, with Bradfield's intricate nod to Monk's "Rhythm-n-Ing" providing an example of the long arm of Monk. There are elements of... read more
Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra - The Endless Search
by Don Mather, MusicWeb International UK
Jimmy Heath is one of the great tenor saxophone players in jazz and he is also a very skilled arranger and composer. He has played in many of the most famous groups in jazz as a sideman and soloist and also served many, including Dizzy Gillespie, as composer/arranger. From his soloing on this record alone it is easy to see why he has such an enviable reputation. His improvisations are exquisite and worth the price of the album on their own. The... read more
New York Voices - Reminiscing in Tempo
by Allen Morrison, DownBeat
The title track of New York Voices' new album, Reminiscing In Tempo (Origin), was one of Duke Ellington's first long-form compositions in the 1930s. (Mel Tormé added the poignant lyrics in 1962.) It's an apt tune for a group now celebrating its 30th anniversary.
Founded at Ithaca College, New York Voices remains one of the world's foremost vocal jazz groups. The original quintet became a quartet with its current lineup in 1994: tenor... read more
Michael Waldrop - Time Frames
by Jim Lambert, Percussive Notes
This 2021 CD features the music of Michael Waldrop on marimba, vibraphone, and drum set. Additionally, percussionists Gordon Stout, Brad Dutz, Jose Rossy, and Marko Djordjevic are featured on several tracks. In addition to Waldrop as a composer, other composers include Jack Cooper, Nathan Daughtrey, Jonathan Middleton, Stout, and Dutz. This CD reflects the outstanding musicianship of Waldrop on a variety of instruments. The compositions are... read more
Bobby Broom - Bobby Broom Plays for Monk
by Doug Collette, StateOfMindMusic.com
Sonny Rollins and Bobby Broom are long standing collaborators having worked together in the great saxophonist's band going on thirty years now. The guitarist has nurtured an increasingly fruitful solo career for himself? the latest product of which is squarely in the great jazz tradition of "Newk" himself? whose initial offering in a series of concert releases bodes well for the archive project.
The increasingly esteemed Broom does as much for... read more
Dave Hanson - Blues Sky
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
The pianist Dave Hanson is joined by Wil Swindler, Mark Simon and Paul Romaine for these 10 originals that pay tribute to the melting pot of American music innovators.
The lively "Two Masters" opens with Swindler's soaring sax alongside Romaine's frisky drums for the melodic jazz climate, and "Across The Bridge" follows with Hanson's playful keys that suit the upbeat sax and Simon's bass acrobatics.
"Arnhem" occupies the middle spot... read more
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