Avishai Cohen

At Home, Avishai Cohen’s sixth recording as a leader, features eleven profoundly beautiful compositions performed by his trio of Sam Barsh on piano and Mark Guiliana on drums, joined by special guests Yosvany Terry, (saxophones, chekere), Anne Drummond (flute), Diego Urcola (flugelhorn), Jeff Ballard (drums, percussion) and Tomer Tzur (hand drum). At Home reflects on, and celebrates, places, people, emotions and realizations that Cohen has encountered in his many sojourns around the globe, all the while exposing the innermost jubilation and contemplation of the bassist/composer. Stuart Nicholson, commenting on At Home, in Jazzwise Magazine, said “for my money [it’s] the most considered and best realised of all.” Indeed, Cohen exposes his many gifts as a melodic composer, powerful soloist and provoking leader, as never before, reflected in the brilliant performances by the trio and ensemble.

After a first album « Departures » released in 1999 by Warner / Erato Disque and recognized by the press (“Listen. That has nothing to do with it. Listen, you won’t believe it” Jacques Denis) Jo Kaiat went to Tel Aviv to record his new album with long-time friend, bass player Avishai Cohen and three Israeli musicians: Noam David (drums), Gilad Abro (double bass) and Ilan Katchka (percussions). In this project, Jo Kaiat draws on the wealth of Hebrew music from the Middle East, West Africa and Arab-Andalusia. This hybrid form of jazz with multiple influences, makes it a mixed album that reflects with sensitivity the sum of the experiences of the pianist throughout the world.

In blazing form, the trumpeter from Tel Aviv responds to the turbulent spirit of a troubled time, leading his dedicated band through a five-part suite that runs the gamut of emotions, by turns hopeful, despairing, outraged and profoundly melancholic. The melodic directness of the concluding “The Seventh”, composed by Avishai Cohen’s teenaged daughter Amalia, offers consoling contrast to the suite’s intensity. In between, Cohen turns his attention to the haunting Adagio assai from Ravel’s G major piano concerto, which has long been a highlight of the quartet’s concerts. Ashes to Gold was recorded in November 2023, at Studios La Buissonne, in the South of France.

Avishai Cohen showed enormous promise as both a composer and an acoustic bassist on his first album as a leader, Adama, which he produced with Chick Corea for the company Corea co-owned, Stretch records. Reminding listeners of his Israeli heritage, the post-bopper brings a heavy Middle Eastern influence to such impressive originals as "Reunion of the Souls," "Ora," and "No Change." Although Cohen's 1997 music wasn't innovative – John Coltrane, Yusef Lateef, and Miles Davis successfully experimented with Middle Eastern elements when they embraced modal jazz in the late '50s – Adama has a certain freshness to it.

’This time I wanted to focus on something else. I see ‘Arvoles’ as new music, it’s a reflection of my world over the last couple of years. Let’s just say the new work shows another part of my personality. It’s a collection of original instrumental compositions, and one traditional song written over the last couple of years without the intention of ever being compiled on the same record. Still, they all fit together like a hand in a glove. ‘Arvoles’ is recorded with my core trio drummer Noam David (Israel) and pianist Elchin Shirinov (Azerbaijan) who are both magnificent musicians and composers in their own right as truly reflected on the album. They both have joined me on the road for extensive worldwide touring that runs deep into 2020.'