Israeli-born jazz bassist Avishai Cohen is a world class bassist and composer who mingles Sefardic rhythms with straight up modern jazz. A founding member of Chick Corea's sextet Origin and a member of Chick Corea's New Trio, Cohen is one of the most influential bassists in the jazz world.
He and his trio, the truly amazing pianist Shai Maestro and equally talented drummer Mark Guilliana, just finished a week of performances at the Blue Note in Manhattan. Where did they go from there? To Saint Paul, Minnesota of all places and, lucky me, I got to hear them and meet them.
The Saint Paul JCC brought Cohen in for its Israeli Independence Day celebration. Cohen doesn't make a habit of touring exclusively Jewish venues. (Indeed, this is the only such gig listed on his tour.) He plays jazz festivals worldwide and storied jazz clubs like the Blue Note. And, this Thursday night, April 26, he's playing Cambridge, Massachusetts at the Regatta Bar in the Charles Hotel:
1 Bennett St
Cambridge
MA 02138
USA
Tel:617 395 7757
www.getshowtix.com/regattabar
For those of you who are not carefully keeping sefirat ha'omer (or for those who make an exception for largely instrumental performances or for special occasions), go hear the Avishai Cohen Trio. The show I heard tonight was on par with or greater than the best live jazz performances I've ever heard. The crowd repeatedly and strongly applauded, and then gave the trio a rousing standing ovation that rivaled those I've seen at rock concerts, including Springsteen.
And hearing the Avishai Cohen trio live has another plus. Shai Maestro joined the trio after the latest CD/DVD (official release date: later today) was cut. Maestro is a truly amazing talent, and he's only 19 or 20 years old. The only chance you'll get to hear him before the next CD is released (probably next year) is to hear him live.
This is one tight, together band. Don't miss hearing them live – if you can work out the logistics.
Music samples. Amazon.com CDs. (Most CDs also available on iTunes, except the new CD released today, As Is…Live At The Blue Note.)