Avishai Cohen: Devotion

Jim Santella

Senior Contributor since 1997

Jim Santella has been contributing CD reviews, concert reviews and DVD reviews to AAJ since 1997. His work has also appeared in Southland Blues, The L.A. Jazz Scene, and Cadence Magazine.

Recent articles (1,677 total)

Published: May 1, 1999

Avishai Cohen's modern mainstream sextet performs in a hard bop tradition while encompassing ethnic influences from all over the world. In Cohen's compositions you can pick out modes, rhythms, and themes that feel as though they represent cultures from eastern Asia, northern Africa, central Europe, South America, southwestern Asia, the U.S. and more. The 28-year-old Jerusalem native, who wrote all but two pieces for Devotion, has spent his adult years learning the trade while working for two years with Danilo Perez and over a year with Chick Corea. There's a biography, photos, and more at http://www.jazzcorner.com/cohen/ .

The sextet format allows for ample solo time from each member. Steve Davis and Jimmy Greene, as the horn section, stay together in unison quite a bit. Pianist Jason Lindner wrote "Candela City," an exciting Latin jazz piece which is performed by the piano trio. The traditional folk melody "Linda de Mi Corazon" is performed as a duet by vocalist Claudia Acuna and arco bassist Cohen. The leader sits down at the piano for "Angels of Peace," a lovely trio that includes trombonist Davis and flutist Greene. The session has a variety that blends mainstream jazz with influences from the world over. Recommended.

Track Listing: El Capitan & the Ship at Sea; The Gift; Bass Suite #3 Part 1; Ot Kain; Angels of Peace; Ti Da Doo Di Da; Linda de Mi Corazon; Deep Blue; Igor; Slow Tune; Negril; Musa; Candela City; Bass Suite #3 Part 2.

Personnel: Avishai Cohen- acoustic bass, electric bass, piano, synthesizer; Jason Lindner- piano; Jimmy Greene- tenor sax, flute, soprano sax; Steve Davis- trombone; Amos Hoffman- guitar, oud; Jeff Ballard- drums, percussion; Claudia Acuna- vocal on "Linda de Me Corazon"; Joshua Levy- nai on "Musa"; Danny Freedman- balafon on "Ti Da Doo Di Da"; String Quartet on "Ti Da Doo Di Da": Ida Levin- 1st violin, Carmit Zori- 2nd violin, Robert Rinehart- viola, Fred Sherry- cello.

Record Label: Concord Music Group
Style: Straight-ahead/Mainstream