ORIGIN RECORDS NEWS

Origin Records nominated for JazzWeek's "2007 Jazz Label of the Year"

Origin was recently nominated for JazzWeek's Jazz Label of the Year Award. JazzWeek, jazz radio's definitive charting organization, holds its annual convention during the Rochester Jazz Festival, June 19-21, where they present workshops, panel discussions and general schmoozing along with their awards ceremony honoring artists and organizations throughout the jazz "industry." We're honored... Thanks to all of the DJs and radio people for doing what you do!

Jazz Journalists Association announces 2008 Jazz Award Winners

Comprised of of activists, advocates, altruists, aiders and abettors of jazz, the Jazz Journalists Association announced it's 2008 award line-up. Joe Locke was awarded "Mallets Player of the Year" again, and can be heard on his Live In Seattle record, as well as the upcoming Force of Four record (available in September). Receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award was Washington journalist Doug Ramsey, and Guitarist of the Year honors went to Bill Frisell, who can be heard on Darrell Grant's Truth And Reconciliation. Allaboutjazz.com received accolades for being the Best Website on Jazz.

The Gene Harris/Origin Records Jazz Competition
June 18-20

In cooperation with the Gene Harris Jazz Festival, Origin Records proudly sponsored the first annual Gene Harris Jazz Competition this past weekend in Boise, Idaho. With 9 groups in the finals traveling in to Boise from New York, Los Angeles, Kansas City, Seattle and beyond, the competition turned out to be a walloping success for all concerned. Student and professional bands performed all original material in front of judges, the community and the other musicians, with each performer inspiring the others to play better and better. The quality was extremely high and the decision on who would be the one to open for Roy Haynes' mainstage concert and walk away with an Origin record deal was excessively tough.

In the end, the post-bop stylings of "Diverse" from Kansas City prevailed with the mature phrasing of the frontline - trumpeter Hermon Mehari & saxophonist William Sanders, the fleet bass solos of Ben Leifer, and the awe-inspiring drumnastics of the 19-year old Ryan Lee. Their performance in the 2500 seat Morrison concert hall inspired shouts and a prolonged standing ovation, surely a great sign for a group barely in their twenties!

Home Street Bank Presents Origin Records its 2007 “Great Neighbor, Great Business” Award

Origin Records and Ballard Jazz Festival founders John Bishop and Matt Jorgensen were presented with the "Great Neighbor, Great Business" award from HomeStreet Bank during intermission at the 2008 Ballard Jazz Festival.

HomeStreet Bank has been a sponsor of the Ballard Jazz Festival since its inception and we thank them for this honor and are grateful for their support of independent jazz in the Northwest.

The World’s Newest Classical Music Label –
Origin Classical

In the works for some time, we can finally say Origin Classical is now open for business! Visit www.originclassical.com for recordings from creative classical soloists and ensembles from around the world starting with our first two releases for the spring – the Seattle Trumpet Consort, performing on natural trumpets, and the first Symphony from Los Angeles-based composer, Chris Walden. Clarinetist Florie Rothenberg explores new music from women composers on her upcoming July release, Voices of Trees, so check in soon and back often for the latest news on some great new music.

Origin Records artists take home Golden Ear Awards

Trumpeter Thomas Marriott took home two Golden Ear Awards and Origin Records founder John Bishop was inducted into the Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame at the 2007 Golden Ear Awards on Sunday, January 20, at the Experience Music Project in Seattle.

Here are the Origin and OA2 winners:

Northwest Jazz Recording: THOMAS MARRIOTT, "BOTH SIDES OF THE FENCE"
Northwest Jazz Instrumentalist: THOMAS MARRIOTT
Acoustic Group: SONANDO
Vocalist: GAIL PETTIS
Concert of the Year: JOE LOCKE at the Pt. Townsend Jazz Festival
Hall of Fame: JOHN BISHOP

Click here to read the full story at seattlejazzscene.com

2007... What A Year!

2007 was a great year for Origin and OA2 artists. The two labels released a combined 30 releases and radio loved them all... or... well... most of them.

Thomas Marriott's "Both Sides Of The Fence" was #30 on the JazzWeek "Top 100 CDs of 2007" chart, with Bobby Broom's "Song And Dance" at #42, and the McNeely / Sill / Spencer "Boneyard" trio disc at #86.

Chicago’s Deep Blue Organ Trio finished the year near the top of the national airplay charts (and they're still there after 16 weeks!) and "Folk Music" won Jazz Album of the Year at the Chicago Music Awards. Bobby Broom's own record "Song And Dance," was listed among the top ten CDs of 2007 by Jazziz contributor Bob Weinberg

Among other highlights, New York organist Sam Yahel’s CD "Truth and Beauty" was named one of the year's Top 10 by both The New York Times and Newsday, while Darrell Grant's "Truth and Reconciliation," and The Galper / Johnson / Bishop "Furious Rubato" were both recognized by JazzTimes in their "Best of 2007" list. "Furious Rubato" also was in the top 10 from CODA magazine.

Canadian vocalist Dee Daniels met rave reviews with her "Jazzinit" release, getting top 10 acknowledgement from Jim Wilke's Top 10 NW CDs of 2007, CODA Magazine's Top Ten Jazz CDs for 2007, and reaching #3 in ejazznews.com TOP 20 Jazz CDs for 2007.

Origin Records' John Bishop and Matt Jorgensen Featured in Seattle's Earshot Jazz Magazine

Origin records celebrates it's 10th anniversary this year, and Seattle's Earshot Jazz Magazine has the cover story. With nearly 175 releases on two labels, John Bishop and Matt Jorgensen have helped build a strong presence in the Jazz community. Click here to read the interview. Artists and fans will enjoy the 10th Anniversary sales through this website, with details soon to follow.

Seattle Jazz Photo captures, "A Great Day in Seattle"

Nearly 300 of Seattle's professional jazz musicians gathered May 6th for a "Great Day In Harlem"-style photograph on the steps of Seattle City Hall. Origin Records artist Thomas Marriott, Pony Boy Records owner Greg Williamson, Musicares' Jane Peck, and Origin Records' own Chad McCullough spent the last 8 months coordinating the event. The attendees represented the wide array of music that makes up the Seattle Jazz Scene, from early Jackson Street Days, to free improvised music, to modern contemporary smooth jazz. Pulitzer-prize winning photographer Daniel Sheehan snapped the official shutter on the event. Posters are now available! All of the proceeds from sales will be donated to Musicares. For more information, please visit www.agreatdayinseattle.com.