11 July 2010
Theatre Stage
//
17:30
Avishai Cohen Quintet
(United States)
Avishai Cohen (bass), Karen Malka (vocals), Amos Hoffman (oud), Shai Maestro (piano), Itamar Doari (drums)
Avishai Cohen was born in 1970 in Israel to a musical family. As a child he began learning piano, but switched to electric bass guitar after discovering the legendary Jaco Pastorius. When he set off from Tel Aviv to conquer the world after two years of service in the army band, New York was a logical first destination. The young Israeli had a difficult first year, at times even working in construction to make ends meet, but around the time that he formed his first group, an orchestra with multiple influences, he found an admirer in a certain Chick Corea, who soon offered him a record deal under his own label Stretch as well as the bass chair in his new group.
After releasing four albums under his mentor’s label and acquiring international renown (he perfomed a.o. with Roy Hargrove, Herbie Hancock, Claudia Acuna, Paquito D’Rivera, the London Philharmonic Orchestra , the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra and the Boston Pops Symphony), Avishai decided to take the plunge and launch a solo career. For seven years he has dedicated himself to forging his own path, never refusing an invitation to perform, but he remains a composer above all.
Over the years his exploration of his roots, his history and the blending of his influences has become deeper, denser and more moving. The phenomenon that is Avishai Cohen now unites spirits well beyond the borders of jazz. Having moved outside any clearly defined categories, Avishai electrifies the audience at each performance.
And now, already enjoying a well-deserved reputation as a gifted and imaginative composer and one of the best living bass players, Cohen reveals himself to be a talented singer as well, in Hebrew, English, Spanish and Ladino. The music draws its source in the earth of his home country, at the crossroads of many cultures. Arab-Andalusian and Hebraic, it tells the story of Bedouins of the desert and speaks of life, love, youth and freedom.
After releasing four albums under his mentor’s label and acquiring international renown (he perfomed a.o. with Roy Hargrove, Herbie Hancock, Claudia Acuna, Paquito D’Rivera, the London Philharmonic Orchestra , the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra and the Boston Pops Symphony), Avishai decided to take the plunge and launch a solo career. For seven years he has dedicated himself to forging his own path, never refusing an invitation to perform, but he remains a composer above all.
Over the years his exploration of his roots, his history and the blending of his influences has become deeper, denser and more moving. The phenomenon that is Avishai Cohen now unites spirits well beyond the borders of jazz. Having moved outside any clearly defined categories, Avishai electrifies the audience at each performance.
And now, already enjoying a well-deserved reputation as a gifted and imaginative composer and one of the best living bass players, Cohen reveals himself to be a talented singer as well, in Hebrew, English, Spanish and Ladino. The music draws its source in the earth of his home country, at the crossroads of many cultures. Arab-Andalusian and Hebraic, it tells the story of Bedouins of the desert and speaks of life, love, youth and freedom.
Press Quotes:
The New Yorker: "... one of the most gifted bassists of his generation is finding his own voice as a composer"
Time Out London: "... one of the best double-bassists in the world"
The Los Angeles Times: "...a transcendent example of the capacity of music...to reach beyond geographical and political boundaries..."
JazzMan France: "Avishai Cohen builds a directory, makes a recording, creates a sound and puts up a universe like no other."
Le Journal Du Dimanche: "This new album imposes a grace beyond the jazz, this grace has something to do with antique oriental music, flamenco, folk and pop music: a bright blend distilled with mastery."
Les Inrockuptibles: “A pure and bright album, which has the beauty of a beginning.”
JazzTimes: “Teaming with energy, original ideas and virtuosic soloing by the bassist composer, “Gently Disturbed,” is another reason to consider Cohen among the elite bassists on the scene today.”
La presse de la Manche: “Gently Disturbed is eleven tracks full of power, interpreted by three musicians at the top of their art.One of the best jazz releases of the year.”
Le Monde: "With Gently Disturbed, this trio can only become a reference of jazz today."
Jazzman: "Much more than just a jazz musician, Avishai Cohen appears to be a true creator of elegant ditties and climates at once soothing and invigorating, able to attract a huge audience. "
Jazzwise Magazine: "Tightly written and performed, this is a disc overflowing with wit and gently understated feeling, or ‘Structure in Emotion’ as the title of the final cut has it. A mini-masterpiece of contained dynamism."
Allmusic.com USA: Brad Mehldau may have defined the art of the trio for the 21st century from a pianist's point of view. With his new trio, Cohen is making a case for a modern jazz trio more from the bassist's perspective. Best of all, he does it without diminishing the role of the piano. Gently Disturbed, Cohen's own Razdaz Recordz, is where Cohen rests his case. "Cohen’s bass work is quite amazing; he makes the hulking string instrument into a true melodic voice."
Time Out London: "... one of the best double-bassists in the world"
The Los Angeles Times: "...a transcendent example of the capacity of music...to reach beyond geographical and political boundaries..."
JazzMan France: "Avishai Cohen builds a directory, makes a recording, creates a sound and puts up a universe like no other."
Le Journal Du Dimanche: "This new album imposes a grace beyond the jazz, this grace has something to do with antique oriental music, flamenco, folk and pop music: a bright blend distilled with mastery."
Les Inrockuptibles: “A pure and bright album, which has the beauty of a beginning.”
JazzTimes: “Teaming with energy, original ideas and virtuosic soloing by the bassist composer, “Gently Disturbed,” is another reason to consider Cohen among the elite bassists on the scene today.”
La presse de la Manche: “Gently Disturbed is eleven tracks full of power, interpreted by three musicians at the top of their art.One of the best jazz releases of the year.”
Le Monde: "With Gently Disturbed, this trio can only become a reference of jazz today."
Jazzman: "Much more than just a jazz musician, Avishai Cohen appears to be a true creator of elegant ditties and climates at once soothing and invigorating, able to attract a huge audience. "
Jazzwise Magazine: "Tightly written and performed, this is a disc overflowing with wit and gently understated feeling, or ‘Structure in Emotion’ as the title of the final cut has it. A mini-masterpiece of contained dynamism."
Allmusic.com USA: Brad Mehldau may have defined the art of the trio for the 21st century from a pianist's point of view. With his new trio, Cohen is making a case for a modern jazz trio more from the bassist's perspective. Best of all, he does it without diminishing the role of the piano. Gently Disturbed, Cohen's own Razdaz Recordz, is where Cohen rests his case. "Cohen’s bass work is quite amazing; he makes the hulking string instrument into a true melodic voice."
Brosella newsletter
Stay updated with our latest activities!
|
|
|
|
|