Jazz Articles about Oregon

Oregon: In Stride

by John Kelman
December 9, 2010

OregonIn StrideCam Jazz2010 With a shared history of 40 years amongst three of its four members--and a fourth now rivaling the group's co-founder, the late Collin Walcott, as percussionist with the longest tenure, it's almost redundant to discuss the inherent chemistry shared amongst the members of the genre-busting Oregon. Woodwind/reed multi-instrumentalist Paul McCandless, guitarist/pianist Ralph Towner and bassist Glen Moore go so far back together--predating Oregon in the Paul Winter Consort , ...

Oregon: 1000 Kilometers

by John Kelman
August 27, 2007

The challenge facing any longstanding group is retaining its core qualities while remaining contemporary and vital as the years pass. Oregon may well be the longest-running group in jazz today, with three of its four members together since its inception in 1970. Its ability to combine detailed composition with near-telepathic free improvisation can still be heard on 1000 Kilometers, the group's 24th recording, but what's also immediately evident is a group that's by no means standing still.

Had original percussionist/sitarist ...

Oregon in Montreal, February 22, 2007

by John Kelman
February 28, 2007

Oregon The SpectrumMontreal, Canada February 22, 2007 Ask any artist who has performed there and they'll tell you that Montreal audiences are something special. Nowhere was this more evident than on Thursday, February 22, 2007, when the stylistically genre-busting group Oregon made its first visit to the Canadian jazz mecca in over 15 years. When the 37-year-old group took to the stage at Montreal's The Spectrum, the applause, hoots and hollers were so loud ...

Oregon: Out of the Woods / Roots in the Sky

by John Kelman
February 12, 2007

It's dangerous to ascribe new musical paradigms to one artist or group. There's no denying, however, that Oregon was one of the first groups to explore the nexus of jazz, classical and folk musics with ideas endemic to the music of India, Brazil and other cultures abroad. Although Oregon's entire discography has been available on CD at different times, a number of titles are currently out of print. Out of the Woods / Roots in the Sky is a welcome ...

Oregon: Out of the Woods

by J. Glenn Miller
January 25, 2007

This album can be judged by its cover, an illustration by David Wilcox depicting an idealized old-growth forest. Scattered amongst the too-perfect trees and well-pruned shrubs are various oversized acoustic instruments sharing a well-manicured lawn with a gray squirrel, a curious raccoon, a startled owl and a pileated woodpecker. It's all pleasant greens bordering warm shades of brown and yellow. Well-placed, softly-shaped boulders invite you to sit and relax. The owl and the raccoon stare back at you, as if ...

Oregon: Prime

by John Kelman
September 7, 2005

Given most marriages don't last 35 years, the fact that three of perennially genre-busting group Oregon's four founding members have remained together so long--and there's little doubt that if Colin Walcott had not tragically died in a car accident in '84, he'd still be around too--is truly remarkable. Sure, there are a few old warhorse rock and roll bands like the Rolling Stones who've been around longer. But given the mercurial and significantly less-recompensable nature of jazz, guitarist/pianist Ralph Towner, ...

Oregon: The Art Of The Musical Canvas

by Raul d'Gama Rose
August 5, 2004

It is very rare indeed for the art of the brush on canvas and fingers on musical instruments to inhabit the same time, space and composition. But when it does a lifetime of magical experiences are born and stay with you forever. To do this the artists must make a myriad metaphysical leaps and transmigrations! A twist of fate that must make mind, body and soul dance with the re-invention of pure joy. To do this requires re-locating the landscape ...