Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Zem Audu - Spirits
by Abe Beeson, KNKX - Seattle
Nigerian-born, London-raised, and now Brooklyn-based saxophonist Zem Audu is quickly becoming one of the most talked about sax players in New York. Self-taught on piano and guitar, he settled on saxophone before heading to the prestigious Trinity College of Music in London.
Early work found him playing with ska bands, so popular in the Caribbean-influenced music of England for decades. There's more than a little reggae and afro-beat flavor on... read more
Maja Jaku - Blessed & Bewitched
by Robert Silverstein, Roots Music Report
RMR presents an interview with MAJA JAKU
RMR: Tell us about growing up in Kosovo. Did you leave Kosovo because of the war, and how did growing up in a war zone affect you on a personal and professional basis and when did you arrive in Austria? And tell us about your diverse musical influences while you were growing up.
MAJA JAKU: I grew up in Kosovo, in a deeply musical family. My uncle was a bass guitarist, and... read more
Jessica Williams - Songs of Earth
by George Fendel, Jazz Society of Oregon
Over a period encompassing several engagements at Seattle's The Triple Door, pianist Williams compiled six original compositions (of the seven played here) which seemed to have a common thread. All were completely improvised on the spot, and in her effort to meld them into an artistic whole, she chose pieces which complement one another. While the term "jazz pianist" is an honorable title, I've always felt that Williams takes it a step further... read more
Tim Jensen - A Mind For The Scenery
by Marty Hughley, The Oregonian
Not horning in on fame
The best-known musicians on the Portland jazz scene tend to be those who've achieved a good measure of national notice (Tom Grant), kept their names out front as bandleaders (Thara Memory) or served for decades as reliable if low-key masters of the craft (Phil Baker). But name recognition can sometimes take a while to catch up with talent. So if you're not yet familiar with Tim Jensen, don't presume that's... read more
David Friesen - My Faith, My Life
by Doug Ramsey, Rifftides
Friesen's virtuosity brought him to prominence as a bassist nearly fifty years ago. He has remained one of the instrument's most adventurous players through a career including associations with Duke Jordan, Marian McPartland, John Handy, Denny Zeitlin, Paul Horn and other major jazz artists. This two-CD album presents him on the first disc playing his compositions on the Homage bass, an instrument he developed. On some tracks in that CD he... read more
Cathy Segal-Garcia & Phillip Strange - Live in Japan
by Paul Freeman, Pop Culture Classics
Good things are worth waiting for. And it's been a very long wait for the release of this exceptional set, performed by jazz vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia and pianist Phillip Strange. It was recorded in Osaka, Japan, 30 years ago. But what dazzled listeners in 1992 will still do so in 2022 and beyond.
This two-CD package contains 21 classic tunes, attractively arranged and entrancingly performed. Segal-Garcia's ability to utilize unique... read more
Laurie Antonioli - Songs of Shadow, Songs of Light
by Marc Myers, JazzWax
Singer Laurie Antonioli avoids the mistake of trying to duplicate Joni's originals and instead gives the material a big jazz twist. Backed by a highly sensitive and carefully arranged quintet that includes jazz pianist Matt Clark, Antonioli delivers a fascinating Both Sides Now that turns the original inside out. All of the tracks here convert Joni's work into jazz standards. A coiled, innovative approach from a sensitive... read more
Kiki Valera - Vivencias en Clave Cubana
by George W Harris, Jazz Weekly
Cuban sounds of joy are delivered by Kiki Valera, who plays cuatro, guitar and percussion as he features the bel canto voice of Coco Freeman and a snappy team of Alex Baro/tp, Jose Alayo-Yanill Nario/b, Pedro Vargas/perc and guest vocalists Carlos Cascante, Joshuah De Jesus and Steve Guasch. The tunes are mostly composed by Valera and Freeman and are sizzling affairs with rich grooves and bright trumpet solos on pieces like "Mi Son" and... read more
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