NEW RELEASES

Jessica Williams , "Touch" Adding to her already transcendent collection of solo piano recordings for Origin Records, Jessica Williams furthers her legacy with Touch, recorded live at the Triple Door concert hall in Seattle. In her detailed and expansive liner notes, Ms. Williams reveals a thought process obsessed with voicings and touch - apparent in this program of originals and classics such as "Goodbye, Porkpie Hat" - a... read more >>

Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra , "The Endless Search" The Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra presents the recorded premiere of an important and remarkable new suite for large jazz ensemble created by the legendary saxophonist and composer, Jimmy Heath. Commissioned by the SRJO and first performed in Seattle in 2006, "The Endless Search" is written in three movements and is destined to be one of the great pieces of jazz repertoire from this century.... read more >>

Ziggurat Quartet , "Calculated Gestures" Ziggurat Quartet is made up of some of Seattle’s most innovative jazz improvisers. A passion for rhythmic experimentation drives the ensemble’s complex original compositions, with many of the ten pieces being deeply influenced by the rhythms of East Indian music, as well as jazz and contemporary chamber music. Coupled with strong improvising, the result is a mix of music that is engaging, spontane... read more >>

Richard Sussman , "Live at Sweet Rhythm" When pianist/composer Richard Sussman’s extraordinary debut album Free Fall was first released over 30 years ago, it quickly became a classic. The reunion of this incredible band, consisting of renowned trumpeter Tom Harrell, saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi, bassist Mike Richmond, drummer Jeff Williams, and pianist Richard Sussman, is captured here in a rare and exciting performance from 2003, live at ... read more >>

Corey Christiansen , "Outlaw Tractor" Following up on 2008's Roll With It, Corey Christiansen's critically acclaimed Origin debut, the dynamic guitarist returns with a vengeance on Outlaw Tractor, another grooving, soul-jazz offering featuring his working band, including New York organist Pat Bianchi, saxophonist David Halliday and drummer Matt Jorgensen. Moving easily from the funky "When You Want" and "Outlaw Tractor" to the driving... read more >>

Ray Vega & Thomas Marriott, "East-West Trumpet Summit" Continuing the tradition of fabled trumpet duo sessions that have included Fats Navarro & Howard McGhee, and Freddie Hubbard & Woody Shaw, two of the more dynamic and versatile trumpeters anywhere, New Yorker Ray Vega & Thomas Marriott from Seattle, make up the front line of this power-packed quintet as they take a joyous ride through a collection of jazz classics and original compositions. Featur... read more >>

Wellstone Conspiracy , "Motives" Four of the Northwest's finest jazz artists reunite on "Motives" for a wide-ranging, adventurous recording of orignal works, including a free-wheeling tribute to drummer Ed Blackwell, and melodic pieces flavored by the modern harmonies of Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter. The disc closes with an impressionistic cover of Billy Strayhorn's "A Flower is a Lovesome Thing." Wellstone Conspiracy featur... read more >>

Peter Epstein and Idée Fixe, "Abstract Realism" Saxophonist Peter Epstein's band, Idée Fixe, has been an act of love (and obsession) since 1997. Along with guitarist Andy Barbera, Sam Minaie on bass, and Matt Mayhall on drums, the group is joined on their debut recording by special guests Gavin Templeton on saxophones and Brian Walsh on bass clarinet, as they create fully realized, spontaneously-composed music with neither discussion or foretho... read more >>

speak , "Speak" With the release of their eponymous debut album, the Seattle-based quintet speak has established itself as a new, distinct voice in improvised music. Despite having roots planted firmly in a wide range of decidedly “un-jazzy” genres, the prodigious members of this outfit have each spent a great deal of time cultivating a deep appreciation and understanding of the jazz idiom. Thusly, ... read more >>