ORIGIN RECORDS NEWS

Origin wins 2009 JazzWeek Record Label of the Year

Seattle’s Origin Records was recognized as the 2009 Jazz Label of the Year at the JazzWeek Awards, held June 20th in Rochester, NY, during the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival. The JazzWeek awards are voted on by several hundred members of the jazz industry including radio program directors, disc jockeys, program syndicators, satellite and cable broadcasters, record labels and promoters.

JazzWeek’s Ed Trefzger presented the award to Origin’s John Bishop during the JazzWeek Conference which has taken place alongside the Rochester Jazz Festival each year since 2003.

Also nominated in the Label category were Concord Records, Palmetto, Sunnyside, Heads Up, and HighNote Records.

Origin / OA2 artists fill the line-up at the Jazz At The River Festival, June 24-27
& at Jazz Fest. Glen Ellyn, July 11th

Kim Richmond, John McLean, Darrell Grant, Geof Bradfield, Thomas Marriott, Jeff Baker, Greta Matassa, and more Origin artists from Chicago, Seattle, LA, and Portland are all gathering in Boise, Idaho next week for the debut of the Jazz At The River festival - June 24-27.

Jazz At The River brings world-class jazz musicians and educators to the city of Eagle, Idaho, providing the community and students alike with unrivaled access to these professionals. In addition to an outdoor jazz festival and a series of more intimate jazz performances around town, this charter event includes educational master classes that allow students to learn from some of the best musicians in the field in a one-on-one setting. Purchase tickets, and get more information at www.jazzattheriver.com

Another great event coming up July 11 with a heavy Origin tilt is the 2009 Jazz Fest Glen Ellyn in Glen Ellyn, IL sponsored by Chicago's premier jazz station, WDCB. The festival features the Deep Blue Organ Trio, sax great Mark Colby and pianist Kelly Brand and her ensemble among others. Visit http://www.jazzfestglenellyn.org/index.html for more information.

Thomas Marriott's "Flexicon" reaches #10 on JazzWeek Chart, Broom at #16

Trumpeter Thomas Marriott's new CD, Flexicon, peaked at#10 on the JazzWeek National Radio Airplay Chart. Chicago guitarist Bobby Broom's new record Bobby Broom Plays For Monk is currently at number 16.

In other JazzWeek news, The Bob Sneider & Joe Locke's Film Noir Project Nocturne For Ava and Joe Locke's Force of Four are both charting on JazzWeek's Top 100 of 2009 airplay chart.

Chad McCullough interviewed on Allaboutjazz.com

Origin's own Chad McCullough has a new interview published on All About Jazz.com, by staff writter John Barron.

"McCullough's recording... is a strong debut, emphasizing the 27-year-old trumpeter's prowess as an improviser who demonstrates an understanding of the rich lineage of jazz trumpet... "

Check out the complete interview here.
Download the first track from his latest album, Dark Wood, Dark Water at www.allaboutjazz.com

Ray LeVier featured in the May issue of JazzTimes Magazine

Origin Records drummer, Ray LeVier has a great feature in the Opening Chorus section of the latest issue of JazzTimes. Journalist Michael J. West writes, "His ability to master drums across genres testifies to his perseverance as well as his talent." Read the article in the reviews section, or check it out on newsstands now. Be sure to listen to clips from Ray's new record Ray's Way here.



Origin Records Artists collect at the Golden Ear Awards

The 2008 Golden Ear Awards, presented by Seattle's Earshot Magazine, was a great night celebrating the Northwest's music scene. We'd like to congratulate the following award recipients:
Inducted into the Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame
Phil Sparks
NW Acoustic Jazz Ensemble of the Year
Hadley Caliman Quartet/Quintet
"Outside" Jazz Group of the Year
Thomas Marriott's Willie Nelson-Project
NW Concert of the Year
Hadley Caliman at Ballard Jazz Festival/CD Release Party at Tula's
NW Jazz Instrumentalist of the Year
Mark Taylor
NW Vocalist of the Year
Greta Matassa

Jeff Johnson interviewed in the new Cadence Magazine.

The latest issue of Cadence Magazine features a lengthy interview with bassist Jeff Johnson, one of the Northwest's most iconic modern jazz figures. Writer Jimmy Bennington covers Jeff's tenure with Philly Joe Jones' band and his time spent in the loft scene of NYC in the '70s, through his touring and recording with the trios of Jessica Williams and Hal Galper in the '90s, to his current work with his own projects.

For more information, visit http://www.cadencebuilding.com/ for details, or Jeff at http://www.jazzbassist.com

New Photo Gallery Added

A new gallery of photography from the East / West Trumpet Summit is up, HERE. The event was recorded live for an upcoming release, and featured Thomas Marriott and Ray Vega. With the New Stories rhythm section, the event was two nights of great music. Look for the recording to be released in the not-too-distant future, and let these photos hold you over until then!

Deep Blue "Live at Jazz Alley" now available on the Video Podcast

Chicago's Deep Blue Organ Trio visited Seattle to perform at Jazz Alley. Our video camera was there and captured the group in top form.

Click here to watch the performance and make sure and subscribe to the Video Podcast to get all the lastest videos.