Also, check back soon for the brand new Origin and OA2 Records 2008 T-Shirts... debuted at this event! Sure to please everyone on your shopping lists, as well as that special someone...

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.

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.

Amazonas Jazz Festival, in Manaus, Northern Brazil features the music of Daniel Barry

Reflecting on his experience in Brazil, Seattle composer Daniel Barry is very pleased with his latest musical endeavor. "The Amazonas Jazz Festival is just going to keep getting bigger and better. All of the concerts in the Opera House were sold out and the outdoor performances included audiences of around 4,000 people." Barry said. "The Amazonas Band performed an entire set of my compositions. Maestro Rui Carvalho, who is also the artistic director of the festival, conducted and I performed as soloist. [Seattle resident] Dennis Haldane was also featured as the lead trumpet player. This was last Sunday, the closing concert of the festival. The highlight for me came during rehearsals when I heard the Brazilian musicians in the rhythm section playing the authentic Samba and Maracatu grooves that I've written into some of these pieces." Daniel's new "Walk All Ways" album, is now available.

Seattle Jazz Photo, "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.