NEW RELEASES

Aaron Immanuel Wright , "Eleven Daughters" New York-based bassist and composer Aaron Immanuel Wright's dynamic debut recording features the lyrical piano work of Darrell Grant, along with his fellow Portlander on saxophone Tim Wilcox, and the Philadelphia-bred drummer Brian Menendez. Wright penned, or co-wrote all of the music, and arranged the standard "Laura." From the opening bass line of "Something Mainstream," it's clear Wright has id... read more >>

Dan Dean , "251" With pianists George Duke & Kenny Werner, organist Larry Goldings, and pianist/accordianist Gil Goldstein, Seattle bassist Dan Dean brings together some of the top keyboard talents in the world for an intimate set of duo performances, each displaying an abundance of spontaneity and spirited exchanges. With Goldings, the duo explores the bop of "In Walked Bud" to the funk of "I Feel Good." Pianists... read more >>

Hadley Caliman , "Straight Ahead" From Dexter Gordon to Freddie Hubbard to Santana through to his recent critically-acclaimed "Gratitude," Hadley Caliman's 78 years has been filled with the kind of personal achievement that all creative artists strive for. On "Straight Ahead," Caliman visits some of his favorite tunes including his old friend Harold Land's "Rapture," the Lee Morgan classic "Totem Pole," and with his own original "... read more >>

Curt Berg , "At Stagg Street Studio" Master composer/arranger/trombonist Curt Berg gathers with some of his good friends from the top ranks of the LA Jazz Scene to create his long-overdue debut recording. A regular weekly session at Berg's Avon Street studio has resulted in a tight band with a deep musical chemistry who here, explore the eclectic fare Berg has developed over the years as a performer and writer with, among many others... read more >>

Phil Kelly , "Ballet of the Bouncing Beagles" The Grammy-nominated composer and arranger follows up on 2006's "My Museum" with a frisky and swinging set of originals featuring the Northwest version of his Big Band, The NW Prevailing Winds. Special guests joining the band are his longtime LA cohorts, the fiery tenor saxophonist Pete Christlieb, altoist Jerry Dodgion, guitarist Grant Geissman and pianist Pat Coil. From the catchy shuffle "Ewe D... read more >>

Matt Vashlishan , "No Such Thing" For his debut recording, the Miami-based reedman enlists his good friend and mentor Dave Liebman, along with Liebman's working band, for an evocative set of modern originals and open-ended jaunts through jazz standards such as Alone Together and Inner Urge. With guitarist Vic Juris, bassist Tony Marino and drummer Michael Stephans, they also explore stylistic tributes to Michael Brecker & Lennie T... read more >>

Dana Hall , "Into the Light" "Drummer Dana Hall is a major revelation, a powerhouse..." Portland Phoenix. With pianist Bruce Barth, bassist Rodney Whitaker, Terell Stafford on trumpet, and Tim Warfield, Jr. on saxophones, the Chicago-based drummer hits for the seats on his debut recording as a leader. Performing a set of mostly original material along with several re-arrangements of jazz and popular standards, Hall's fertile ... read more >>

John Moulder , "Bifrost" For the follow up to his epic 2006 release, Trinity, Chicago guitarist John Moulder presents a collaboration with the critically acclaimed Norwegian jazz musicians - saxophonist Bendik Hofseth, and bassist Arild Andersen, the French Academie du Jazz's "2009 European Jazz Musician of the Year." Along with his longtime bandmates Paul Wertico on drums and Brian Peters on electric bass and programming... read more >>

Marius Nordal , "Boomer Jazz" For his third Origin release, pianist Marius Nordal presents a solo set of 1960s and 70s mega-hits and Grammy Award-winning pop songs largely ignored by jazz players. Tunes by the Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel, Roberta Flack, Burt Bacharach, and many others are given the pianist's unique spin, including "Strawberry Fields Forever," and "Good Vibrations." Known as a singular big band composer (two of ... read more >>