Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
EEA - The Dark
by Ken Dryden, Rovi, iTunes
EEA are a trio of jazz faculty members at the University of Nevada, Reno, consisting of saxophonist Peter Epstein, trumpeter Larry Engstrom, and pianist David Ake. The lack of additional rhythm instruments gives the players both plenty of freedom and responsibility, which they handle well. The trio's three group improvisations stand out with potent interplay, with the first sounding as if it could be used as a film soundtrack. Ake composed... read more
Karrin Allyson - A Kiss for Brazil
by Scott Yanow, LA Jazz Scene
Karrin Allyson, who has been recording rewarding albums since 1992, is still in prime form these days. On A Kiss For Brazil which is at least her 17th album, she displays her long-time love for Brazilian music. In 2008 Allyson had recorded an album titled Imagina: Songs Of Brasil and her rendition of Antonio Carlos Jobim's "O Pato" (complete with her charming quacking) is one of several Brazilian songs that have long been in her repertoire.
A... read more
John McLean / Clark Sommers Band - Parts Unknown
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
Ditching Larry Hobgood wasn't the only radical change Kurt Elling made a few years ago as he jettisoned the rest of his backing crew on board here as well. The dismissal doesn't seemed to have done this duo any harm as they picked up some new pals and proceeded to embark on an easily progressive but still swinging route. With a four on the floor forthrightness that cuts throughout the clutter, straight ahead jazzbo will enjoy this trip while... read more
Aaron Immanuel Wright - Eleven Daughters
by Adam Greenberg, All Music Guide
For Portland bassist Aaron Immanuel Wright, his debut album could just about be mistaken for a Tim Willcox album. Wright's pen is behind the full album, with outstanding original compositions that take in parts from bebop, modal jazz, and post-bop. The pieces are rich, textural, and full of life throughout. However, Wright's bass is somewhat hidden behind the rest of the quartet. Willcox's tenor holds court up front, and does a beautiful job. He... read more
Hadley Caliman - Straight Ahead
by Brad Walseth, JazzChicago.net
Based on his background and abilities, it is astonishing that a player like tenor saxophonist Hadley Caliman is not more well-known. Originally from L.A., Caliman studied with Dexter Gordon before touring with Mongo Santamaria, Gerald Wilson, Willie Bobo, Freddie Hubbard, Joe Henderson, Bobby Hutcherson and many more, even - at one point - touring live with the rock group Santana. For more than twenty years, he was a member of the music faculty... read more
Thomas Marriott - Constraints & Liberations
by Chris Robinson, Downbeat
The music on Constraints & Liberations operates and resides in that state between dreams and reality. The record slowly simmers with a restrained intensity and rarely comes to a boil.
The soloists are stellar and never fail to tell engaging stories. Thomas Marriott's trumpet sound is as lush and inviting as it comes. "Up From Under" and "Clues" give him plenty of room to slowly stretch out, like a tall man coming to from a deep sleep and... read more
Ryan Cohan - Originations
by Nelson Brill, Boston Concert Reviews
Turning to a global canvas of shape-shifting beauty, we find the creation of dynamic pianist, composer and arranger, Ryan Cohan, who leads a stellar big band joined by the Kaia String Quartet in performance of his original compositions on the CD, Originations [Origin Records]. This is music of open-eared exploration with a wide-open musical terrain where Arab melodies and rhythms meld with jazz and classical roots to inspire and beguile. The... read more
Hans Teuber & Jeff Johnson - Deuce
by Paul Rauch, All About Jazz
4-STARS Bassist Jeff Johnson and multi-reedist Hans Teuber have a musical and personal friendship that goes back to the late eighties when both first arrived in the northwest outpost that is the city of Seattle. The jazz scene in the Pacific Northwest has always been prolific, though to many, a hidden gem outside of the main pulse of jazz cities such as New York and Chicago. In many ways, Deuce, is a snapshot of 30 years of musical give... read more
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