Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
EEA - The Dark
by Thomas R. Erdmann, Jazz Review
EEA is constructed of three members from the Program for Improvisational Music at the University of Nevada-Reno. Saxophonist Peter Epstein earned his Bachelor's degree at the California Institute of the Arts and his Master's degree was earned where he currently teaches. During his professional career he has worked with artists like Bobby Previte, Brad Shepik, Ralph Alessi, Michael Cain, Ravi Coltrane, Mike Stern and Jim Black, to name a few.... read more
Brent Jensen with David Sills - Stay Cool
by Adam Greenburg, All Music Guide
This is an exploration of the cool jazz movement from some 50 years later. Brent Jensen studied for a time under Lee Konitz, and is here accompanied by three quarters of the Acoustic Jazz Quartet (the missing member being guitarist Jamie Findlay). Tenor sax accompaniment is provided by David Sills (a student of Gary Foster) and the songs tend toward the realm of Lennie Tristano (although staying piano-less in full cool jazz mode). The roots of... read more
Sarah Partridge - Bright Lights and Promises: Redefining Janis Ian
by Simon Redley, Music Republic Magazine
4-STARS Janis Ian. Folk legend. Singer. Songwriter. A star for five decades. A songwriter's songwriter. It takes a brave soul to set out to "redefine" her songs at all, but in another genre and style altogether requires a giant leap of faith.
US jazz artist Sarah Partridge is that person who dreamed up this project; to reinterpret some of Janis' well known and lesser known songs in her own style. She has Janis appear on the record... read more
Jim Gailloreto Jazz String Quintet - American Complex
by Adam Greenberg, All Music Guide
For his sophomore effort with the Chicago-based HAWK string quartet in tow, Jim Gailloreto's skill in composition and arrangement for a string quartet has increased notably. Instead of forcing the quartet into a gypsy-jazz romp, Gailloreto keeps the players in their comfort zone -- free from improvisation, and showcasing technical mastery and careful collaboration without sacrificing an austerity of sorts. Over the top of the quartet, though,... read more
Marc Seales - American Songs, Volume 3: Time & Place
by Tree Palmedo, Jazz Society of Oregon
Pianist Marc Seales has been a Northwest mainstay for years, and his American Songs series has been a consistently entertaining look at jazz and blues history. On the third volume in the series, Seales digs into the funkier side of things, both with his song choice and his band's electrified sound. The album kicks off with Curtis Mayfield's "Pusher Man," a bold choice and one that initially feels off. But once guitarist Fred Hamilton... read more
Emi Meyer - Monochrome
by Hobart Taylor, KUCI - Irvine, CA
Emi Meyer's phrasing and nuanced tonal control is clean and complete. This is a singer/songwriter whose intimate and compelling narratives and reflections are set in jazz pop arrangements. The melodies fall like the first snow. Her tune "If I Think of You" and her co-written tunes, especially one with Dawn Clement, "Flesh and Bones", resonate with sincerity. She covers an ironically understated version the blues classic "I'd Rather Go Blind",... read more
Dana Hall - Into the Light
by Martin Z. Kasdan Jr, Louisville Music News.net
With a lineup this strong, drummer/composer Hall has made a very impressive debut. This ensemble has been together for some three years, and the empathetic give-and-take provides another example of how musical strength can be nurtured through playing together regularly. All but three of the nine songs are by Hall. The disc's opening number, "I Have a Dream," however, is by Herbie Hancock, and the band conjures up a Mwandishi brew. As the CD... read more
Ted Brancato - The Next Step
by George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly
Keyboardist Ted Brancato brings to the field a mix of acoustic and electric musicians including Ron Carter/b as well as a reed and brass section for this collection of material that goes from funk to cheery acoustic. Easy and bluesy jazz comes out on pieces such as "Kinshasa" and "I Don't Want to Fall" while the funk factor is spotlighted on the percussive "Karate Kid" and "It's The Little Things." What used to be called "Adult... read more
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