CD Release Party: Richard Cole’s ‘Shade’

January 2, 2008 / / No Comments

This Friday, January 4th, saxophonist Richard Cole celebrates the release of his new CD, Shade, at Tula’s Jazz Club. Joining Rich will be Bill Anschell (piano), Chuck Deardorf (bass), Gary Hobbs (drums) and Thomas Marriott (trumpet). John Hansen, Dr. Ronald Cole and John Bishop will be sitting in as well. It should be good!

This new release showcases the versatile saxophonist in like-minded and stellar company. With trumpeter Randy Brecker again making an appearance, Shade is instantly compelling. Both rollicking and serene, Shade varies the program, from the fusion-informed “Red Hat” to the modern impressions of “Beautiful Love” and “I Could Write a Book” while showcasing several dynamic originals including the opening track “A Shade for Joe,” a nod to the great Joe Henderson. Shade also features pianists Randy Porter, Marc Seales and John Hansen, bassists Chuck Deardorf, Jeff Johnson, and Chuck Bergeron, drummers Gary Hobbs and John Bishop, among others.

(Click here to listen to sound clips from Shade and also purchase the CD from Origin Records)

SJS: What is the story on putting this recording together?
Richard Cole: Actually the songs were recorded over a period of about seven years! We had one left over from the The Forgotten recording sessions from 2000. That song was “A Shade of Joe.” The next session was in May of 2005. We did a few then with the intention of finishing up soon. Unfortunately I had to table the project because of the death of my parents, and then the opening of an art gallery (Cole Gallery in Edmonds, WA) with my wife, Denise. I was able to get back to it May of 2007. Whew!

How did you decide on this collection of musicians?
The songs themselves recommend certain musical personalities. It’s kind of a deliberate but organic decision making process for me.

Read More

Origin Records makes it onto the New York Times Top 10 Jazz CDs of 2007

December 23, 2007 / / No Comments

Organist Sam Yahel‘s new release on Seattle’s Origin Records, Truth and Beauty, was named one of the Top 10 Jazz CDs of 2007 by New York Times jazz critic Ben Ratliff.

7. SAM YAHEL TRIO: ‘TRUTH AND BEAUTY’ (Origin). Here’s Joshua Redman again, on tenor saxophone, in a sporadic, long-running jazz trio led by the organist Sam Yahel, with Brian Blade on drums. This record overcomes old organ-and-tenor jazz clichés so easily that you hardly think of them. The music is fluid, flexible, all parts running together, the groove overwhelming.

Click here to read the entire list.

CD Review: The Cool Season: An Origin Holiday Collection, Vol. 2

December 19, 2007 / / No Comments

By John Barron
originally published on All About Jazz.com

With no shortage of holiday music blasting through shopping malls and restaurants this time of year, it’s easy to understand why some might want to escape the incessant bombardment of the overdone and out-of-date. If one looks hard enough, however, hope for Christmas music burnout can be found. One place to look is Origin Records’ The Cool Season: An Origin Holiday Collection, Vol. 2. With fresh and swinging vitality, trumpeter Thomas Marriott, pianist Bill Anschell, bassist Jeff Johnson and drummer John Bishop provide an invigorating alternative to the average holiday fare.

The disc’s selections range from familiar, to somewhat obscure, to brand new—Johnson contributes two original pieces. The strength of the session lies in the creative arranging of household melodies. The Vince Guaraldi classic “Christmas Time Is Here” moves along at a brisk 6/8 pulse, contrasting, yet maintaining the spirit of the original. “The Christmas Song” is re-shaped into a dark-tinged, modal frame for Marriott and Anschell to explore patiently.
Read More

Origin Records heads to LA

December 7, 2007 / / No Comments

Last weekend saw Origin Records celebrate their 10th Anniversary with capacity crowds at The Ballard Jazz Walk and this weekend John Bishop and Matt Jorgensen are in Los Angeles to host “A Night With Origin Records” at the Pasadena Jazz Institute on Friday, December 7.

Presented as a “Jazz Party,” this evening offers time to mix with the performers and will feature artists including Grammy-nominated saxophonist Kim Richmond, Grammy-nominated trumpter and composer Chris Walden, Seattle trumpeter Thomas Marriott, Los Angeles saxophonists, Rob Lockart, David Sills & Matt Otto, plus several more, all performing music from their recent Origin recordings.

Friday December 7th
$15 / $10 Students
Pasadena Jazz Institute
260 East Colorado Blvd. Suite 206
Pasadena CA 91101
http://www.pasjazz.org

Seattle meets L.A.

December 7, 2007 / / No Comments

Trumpeter Thomas Marriott, and Drummers John Bishop and Matt Jorgensen have the perfect way to beat the N.W. winter weather…

Go to Los Angeles.

Tonight the guys will perform at the first ever “L.A. Origin Records Jazz Party.” Hosted by 425 Productions, the event will feature several artists from the record label in a jam session-style hang. Grammy-nominated artists Chris Walden and Kim Richmond will be joined by tenor saxophonists David Sills, Rob Lockart and Matt Otto, with Seattle native Gary Fukishima on piano as well as several other guests.

After the recent success with the Ballard Jazz Walk, and a 10th Anniversary pin, the Origin boys haven’t even thought about taking a break. “When we get back to Seattle, it’ll be time to get to work on our trip to Toronto for the IAJE in early January…” says Bishop, “and then another Ballard Jazz Festival.” The coming Ballard Jazz Festival (the 4-day event) is scheduled to run April 23-26.

Since most of this site’s readers live in Seattle, you’ll want to tune in Friday morning (through the web) for an on-air interview with Matt, Tom, and John. Visit 88.1 KKJZ for more info.

The L.A. Jazz Party is a project of former Origin Intern Jeff Watkins, a music business student at the University of Southern California. The event will be held at the Pasadena Jazz Institute, at 8pm. Tickets are available at the door.

Ballard Jazz Walk this Friday

November 28, 2007 / / No Comments

The Ballard Jazz Walk returns this Friday, November 30, with 16 groups performing in 11 venues all for a single ticket price ($15 advance / $20 day of event).

Coinciding with 10th anniversary of Origin Records, nearly all the artists performing have recent or up-coming releases within the next year.

Some of the featured artists include:

Northwest saxophone legend Hadley Caliman recently finished his debut recording for Origin Records featuring Joe Locke on vibes. He will perform at the NY Fashion Academy with Thomas Marriott on trumpet, Doug Miller on bass and Byron Vannoy on drums.

Chicago guitarist John McLean leads a group in Seattle for the first time performing music from his new CD “Better Angels“. He is joined by Mark Taylor on saxophone, Ryan Burns on keyboards, Phil Sparks on bass and Matt Jorgensen on drums.

Greta Matassa will perform music from her new CD “The Smiling Hour” at Bad Albert’s.

New to the Jazz Walk this year, Egan’s Ballard Jam House, will host an early dinner set at 6:30pm, Portland’s Upper Left Trio at 8:30pm performing music from their new CD “Three“, at at 11:00pm Chad McCullough will host an after-hours Jam Session where all musicians are welcome to come and sit in.

Other performers include: Sonando, Thomas Marriott’s Willie Nelson Project, Ben Thomas Trio, Collier and Dean, Brent Jensen, John Stowell, Randy Halberstadt Trio, Tad Britton / Marc Seales / Jeff Johnson, and more!

DATE: Friday, November 30th
TICKETS: $15 advance; $20 day of event
WEBSITE: http://ballardjazzfestival.com

Seattle Times preview: click here

Origin Records’ Deep Blue Organ Trio at #2 on JazzWeek Airplay Charts

November 27, 2007 / / No Comments

Origin Records’ October release “Folk Music” by the Deep Blue Organ Trio (Origin 82489) was just announced to be at #2 in the JazzWeek National airplay charts. They’re just 5 spins behind #1! This is the highest any Origin Release has ever charted.

The Deep Blue Organ Trio is based in Chicago. Celebrating the classic jazz combo configuration of the Hammond B3 organ, guitar and drums, as well as the Black-American experience through music, Chris Foreman, Greg Rockingham and Bobby Broom bring a modern edge to a musical timepiece.

The Deep Blue Organ Trio began its journey in 1992 playing engagements at Chicago ‘s Cotton Club and Back Room. At the Cotton Club, a weekly gig which lasted for two years, the group began to develop its sound and musical connection. A connection which in large part began in the 1970s, when as teenagers Chris, Greg and Bobby were studying the organ jazz sounds which would soon become classic.

Other Origin releases that have been in the Top 10 for National Airplay include:
Thomas Marriott, Both Sides of the Fence
Joe Locke / Geoffrey Keezer Group, Live In Seattle
New Stories, Hope Is In The Air

New Review of Richard Cole’s SHADE

November 27, 2007 / / No Comments

By John Barron, AllAboutJazz.com

Shade, Saxophonist Richard Cole’s third release for Origin Records, is a stellar production compiled from various sessions featuring trumpet legend Randy Brecker and a bevy of heavy hitters from the Pacific Northwest. The disc is chock-full of inspired solos, edgy compositions and inventive arranging.

Cole is an aggressive soloist who, much like his saxophone heroes John Coltrane and Joe Henderson, challenges the harmonic boundaries of each tune in search of new and unblemished ideas. The tenor saxophone is Cole’s horn of choice on Shade, however, his soprano playing on “Don’t Breath on Me”— a lyrical waltz written by brother Ronald—is equally brawny and engaging.

Brecker’s trumpet shines on four tracks: “A Shade of Joe,” (Cole’s tribute to Henderson) the Gene DePaul/ Don Raye standard “You Don’t Know What Love Is,” “P.C. Wannabe,” (a variation on Coltrane’s “Mr. P.C.”) and the funky “Red Suit.” His lines are characteristically soulful and inventive.

Bill Anschell handles the bulk of the disc’s piano duties with energetic vigor. The commanding pianist swings aggressively through “Moxy,” his angular compositional take on the Sonny Rollins classic “Doxy.” John Hansen, Randy Porter and Marc Seales each take over the keyboard chair for one tune apiece. Seales’ Fender Rhodes workout on “Red Suit” is one of the stand-out solos on the disc.

The disc contains numerous appearances by top-notch bassists and drummers. Some of the more memorable rhythm section moments come from drummer Gary Hobbs who is explosive on “A Shade of Joe,” and bassist Jeff Johnson who plays an extended solo intro on “Beautiful Love.”

For those unfamiliar with Cole, this disc should leave no doubt as to the magnitude of his musical strength. The brazen display of emotional range emanating from the man’s horn is overwhelming. Shade is a sonic delight from start to finish.

Seattle Times: Origin Records celebrates 10 years with jaunty Walk

November 23, 2007 / / No Comments

By Paul de Barros
Seattle Times jazz critic

When asked to reflect on the 10th anniversary of Origin Records, label co-chief Matt Jorgensen had a deadpan reply.

“We’re still here,” he said.

A triumph of lowered expectations?

Perhaps. But people in the jazz world know just how wildly optimistic it was to hope that two Seattle drummers, Jorgensen and Origin founder John Bishop, could actually survive — no, not just survive, prosper — in a crumbling industry where jazz accounted for less than 3 percent of sales.

“This is a huge thing for any kind of label, but more importantly a jazz label,” said Jorgensen. “I think we’re stronger and more relevant now than we ever have been.”

No arguments there. The label has so far released 200 CDs, mostly by Northwest artists, four of which have won Grammy nominations. According to the JazzWeek National Airplay Chart, more Origin albums were played on the radio this week than those of any other label, including giants like Blue Note and Concord. Generally, said Jorgensen, Origin ranks in the top five for radio play every year.

Click here to read the entire article at The Seattle Times

New Origin Records Podcast Episode Published

November 18, 2007 / / No Comments

A new Origin Records podcast episode has been published featuring the music from Rob Lockart, John McLean, Upper Left Trio, Darrell Grant and the Deep Blue Organ Trio.

You can listen here or goto the Origin Records Podcast page to download the episode. While you are there, go ahead and subscribe to the podcast so you get all the latest episodes.

Click here for more info.

Use the player below to stream or download the episode

A bit of recording news

November 15, 2007 / / No Comments

Saxophonist Richard Cole is heading into the studio today to work on a new CD with guest trumpeter Randy Brecker. Let’s hear it for the hardworking Cole … his new CD, Shade, comes out next week and he is already at work on a new one.

Check out Rich’s new CD, Shade

Up-Coming Alerts

November 12, 2007 / / No Comments

Friday, November 23 – Tula’s
Thomas Marriott Live Recording!
Trumpeter Thomas Marriott is documenting this night at Tula’s for a future release on Origin Records. Joining him is Marc Seales on piano, Jeff Johnson on bass and John Bishop on drums. Come and be a part of history! Call 206-443-4221 for reservations. {more info}

Friday, November 30 – The Ballard Jazz Walk
The fall edition of the popular Jazz Walk will take over historic downtown Ballard on Friday, November 30th, with 16 groups performing in 12 venues and will celebrate 10 years of Origin Records. Scheduled to perform is Chicago guitarist John McLean, saxophonist Hadley Caliman, Portland’s Upper Left Trio, Thomas Marriott, Brent Jensen, John Stowell and many more. Tickets will go on sale at the beginning of November so check back for more information. {more info}

December 6 – 9 – Jazz Alley
Mike Stern Band
Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley presents four-time Grammy nominated guitarist Mike Stern for four nights. Supporting Stern is Anthony Jackson (bass), Bob Franceschini (saxophone) and Dave Weckl (drums). {more info}

December 11 – 12 – Jazz Alley
The Moutin Reunion Quartet
Returning to Seattle after their memorable appearance at April’s Ballard Jazz Festival, the Moutin brothers are supporting their new release, Sharp Turns, a CD/DVD release recorded live at Chicago’s Skokie Theater. {more info}

Saturday: CD Release Party and more!

November 10, 2007 / / No Comments

Lots of shows to check out tonight … here are our recommendations.

TULA’S: CD RELEASE PARTY
Brent Jensen / Bill Anschell / Jeff Johnson / John Bishop
Celebrating the release of “One More Mile” on Origin Records.
2214 2nd Ave, Seattle, 98121
Show starts at 8:30pm
Call for reservations: 206-443-4221

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE: Overton Berry Trio
BAKE’S PLACE: Gail Pettis Trio
TUTTA BELLA: The Djangomatics
GALLERY 1412: apostrophe 11
JAZZ ALLEY: Bob James Quartet
VINO BELLA (Issaquah): Fred Hoadley Trio

Gail Pettis CD Review

October 23, 2007 / / No Comments

Jazz Times writer and Yakima resident Doug Ramsey recently reviewed vocalist Gail Pettis’ new CD on his blog, Rifftides:

Gail Pettis, May I Come In? (OA2). In her recording debut, the Seattle singer chooses a mixture of familiar standards and less-well-known songs, delivering them with warmth and intelligent interpretation. Pettis concentrates on serving songwriters’ intentions, but her delighted treatment of Jimmy McHugh’s “I Just Found Out About Love” includes one of two scatting episodes in the collection. She scats with musicianly understanding of harmony. There is not a lot of that going around among singers. Pettis gives “Black Coffee” its bluesy due but avoids the affected emotion with which many singers are tempted to smother the song.

In “I’ve Grown Accustomed to Your Face,” bassist Jeff Johnson, with his customary strength and sensitivity, is the singer’s sole accompanist. “We’ve Met Before” is a duet between Pettis and pianist Randy Halberstadt. With this lovely song, Halberstadt may have composed a new standard. He and Johnson are on half of the tracks. On the other half, Darin Clendenin is the pianist, Clipper Anderson the bassist, Pacific Northwest stalwarts in good form, as is Mark Ivester, who plays drums throughout. Pettis keeps her considerable vocal power in reserve, using it with restraint and taste. In the burgeoning population of new singers, she is a standout.

Jeff Johson & John Bishop to NYC with Hal Galper

October 22, 2007 / / No Comments

Bassist Jeff Johnson and drummer John Bishop will be heading to New York City later this week to perform with pianist Hal Galper at the Jazz Improv Convention on Saturday, October 27th, at 9:00pm at the Herald Square Suite at the New Yorker Hotel.

Johnson and Bishop recorded a CD with Galper this past summer entitled Furious Rubato which was released on Origin Records.

Click here for tickets and information about the Jazz Improv Convention.