Avishai Cohen - As Is...Live At The Blue Note
ARTIST.....: Avishai Cohen
TITLE......: As Is...Live At The Blue Note
LABEL......: n/a
URL........: http://www.myspace.com/avishaicohenmusic / http://www.avishaimusic.com/index.php
RIP DATE...: May-31-2007
STORE DATE.: Apr-24-2007
GENRE......: Jazz
QUALITY....: VBR / 44.1Hz / Joint-Stereo
SIZE.......: 87,8 MB
Track Listing:
01 - smash 10:29
02 - elli 07:01
03 - etude 10:20
04 - bass suite #1 06:05
05 - feediop 07:29
06 - remembering 06:02
07 - caravan 14:45
─────
62:11 min
Release Notes:
AVISHAI COHEN
AS IS...Live At The Blue Note
BIOGRAPHY
... one of the most gifted bassists of his generation is finding
his own voice as a composer.- The New Yorker
.. one of the best double-bassists in the world.- Kerstan
Mackness, Time Out London
...a transcendent example of the capacity of music...to reach
beyond geographical and political boundaries ...Don Heckerman, The
Los Angeles Times.
Avishai Cohens discography as a leader: Adama (1998), Devotion
(1999), Colors (2000), Unity (2001), Lyla (2003), At Home (2005),
Continuo (2006), As Is . . . Live at The Blue Note (2007)
Bassist/Composer Avishai Cohen, born April 20, 1970 in Israel, is
a musician who has been called a jazz visionary of global
proportions by DownBeat, and was declared one of the 100 Most
Influential Bass Players of the 20th Century by Bass Player
Magazine. Cohen is not only renowned around the world as an
influential double bassist and profound composer, but also as a
visionary bandleader that is following in the footsteps of Mingus,
Dave Holland, Jaco Pastorius, Ray Brown, Charlie Haden, Stanley
Clarke, and even Sting. In fact, every move Avishai Cohen makes
routinely causes waves of critical praise.
In February of 2005 Cohens own Razdaz Recordz released At Home, an
album that at the time was arguably his most compelling and
striking new recording to date. That is until the artist conceived
of, and recorded his newest studio CD, the spectacularly
beautiful, Continuo. With the 2007 release of As Is . . . Live at
The Blue Note (CD/DVD), for the first time ever, audiences can now
revel in the groove, melody, power, excitement and beauty of an
Avishai Cohen performance at home, and repeatedly.
The magic and strength of a working band, which in this music is
stronger than any concept, says Cohen, is one of the key
ingredients on this live CD/DVD. The trio of Avishai, Sam Barsh
and Mark Guiliana, a crackerjack unit that has been delighting
audiences around the world for more than three years, has grown
into one of the most enjoyable and fascinating trios one can
experience on the scene today. Their respect for each other, their
empathetic interaction, and the pure joy and enthusiasm they share
in performing music with each other, is part of what makes Cohens
music connect with listeners on many levels. As Is . . . Live At
The Blue Note is the definitive documentation of this trio as
Avishai takes the band in an exciting new direction with the
arrival of the young Israeli piano virtuoso Shai Maestro, poised
to take over where the brilliant Sam Barsh left off.
As Is . . . Live At The Blue Note also offers an overview of
Avishais career with highlights from his spectacular recordings:
Smash,Elli,Samuel,One For Mark and Nu Nu are from Continuo
(RazDaz, 2006), Remembering and Feediop were featured on At Home
(RazDaz, 2005), Etude stems from the brilliantly conceived
recording Unity (Avishai Cohen & The International Vamp Band,
Stretch, 2001), and Bass Suite #1 is a stand out track from
Avishais debut release, Adama (Stretch, 1998).
... Theres no way to reduce bassist Avishai Cohens music into tidy
categories. Seamlessly blending Middle Eastern, folk, funk,
fusion, and straight-ahead jazz often on the same song Cohen has
fashioned a singular vision, and its a joy to experience. Jazziz
Bassist/Composer Avishai Cohen was one of the first Israel-born
jazz musicians to make a big splash in the U.S. Cohen moved to New
York permanently in 1992 after studying classical/jazz piano and
bass in Israel, (Music & Arts Academy and with Maestro Michael
Klinghoffer) and in the United States (in St. Louis). After
attending both the New School and Mannes College of Music in New
York City, Cohen performed with fellow students such as pianist
Brad Mehldau. After studying with bassist Andy Gonzalez, Cohen
performed in a Latin jazz band that included Abel Rodriguez and
Ray Santiago. As a result of this experience, combined with his
deep understanding and love of Latin Music and jazz, Cohen got the
call to join pianist Danilo Perezs trio. Cohen moved on from
Perezs band in 1996 to become a founding member of the legendary
Chick Coreas new sextet, Origin.
ôShai Maestro is a phenomenon that deserves his own surname and
uses his marvellous technique to create streams of emotion.ö û
Jazz Zaragoza Spain 2006
Until late in 2003, Avishai was a member of the Chick Corea New
Trio (the bassist is prominently featured on the 10 DVD boxed set
Chick Corea: Rendezvous In New York), and accompanist to other
jazz note-worthies, including Bobby McFerrin, Roy Hargrove, Herbie
Hancock, Nnenna Freelon, Claudia Acuna, Paquito DRivera and many
others. Avishai has become a first call musician in multiple
genres. In 2003 he made a studio recording with pop-soul artist
Alicia Keys, and has also performed concert works with the London
Philharmonic Orchestra, the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra and The
Boston Pops Symphony.
Razdaz Recordz 2003 was a busy year for the bassist/composer. In
addition to his playing and composing activities, Cohen decided to
create his own record label, preempting the course that fellow
artists Dave Holland, Dave Douglas and many others have since
taken. ôIÆve always been interested in several genres of music,
including jazz, rock, pop, classical, Latin and funk,ö said Cohen.
ôAnd IÆm always packed with ideas, so I decided to start my own
label because IÆm involved in so many different projects.ö In
addition to releasing his own recordings, Razdaz is gearing up to
release the debut recording of drummer Mark GuilianaÆs genre-
busting band Heernt, ôLocked In A Basementö , featuring Guiliana
on drums, trombone and electronics, Zac Colwell on saxophone,
flute, keyboards and electric guitar, and Neal Persiani on
electric bass.
Razdaz Recordz is distributed internationally and in the US by
Sunnyside/Ryko Distribution. The label released its debut CD,
Avishais Lyla in September 2003. The second recording on Razdaz
Recordz is extraordinary 11-song collection, At Home, a recording
that showcases Cohens multifaceted musical prowess (released on
February 22, 2005).
Avishai Cohen will be on a worldwide tour with his trio, plus
special guests, in support of Continuo throughout 2006, including
engagements at Ronnie Scotts, The Blue Note (Japan & New York) and
The Ottawa Jazz Festival and appearances at the JVC Jazz Festivals
New York and Newport.
Mark Guiliana
Modern Drummer Magazine - ôMark Guiliana may well be at the
forefront of an exciting new style of drumming." ôMark Guiliana is
going to be HUGE. Watch out."-Kurt Stein, Fever Pitch Magazine.
ôMark is truly one of the up-and-coming stars of todayÆs drumming
scene.ö-Modern Drummer Magazine. "Drummer Mark Guiliana plays with
an authority that could suit jazz or thrash." - Jazz Times. The
27-year-old New Jersey nativeÆs unique and un-compromised approach
to playing the drums has earned him international acclaim both as
a leader and a sideman.
Mark discovered his passion and natural talent for drumming at age
15 when he began studying with the great Joe Bergamini. After
spending his high school years getting involved in every musical
environment he could find, ranging from local rock bands to big
band swing, he decided to attend William Paterson University in
New Jersey as a Jazz Studies major. This provided Mark with the
chance to study under jazz greats such as John Riley and Kevin
Norton, and be surrounded by inspiring and diverse music. It was
at WPU where Mark began to find his own voice both as a drummer
and a composer.
As an outlet for his compositions, Mark created HEERNT, his
æexperimental-garage-jazzÆ trio based out of New York. The bandÆs
debut record, Locked In A Basement, was released in the spring of
2006 and was met with praise from critics and musicians alike.
Legendary drummer Bill Bruford (Yes, King Crimson) called the
record ôthe most exuberant, dramatic, beautiful, sassy, genre-
busting little outing that I've heard since I don't know when.
Quite the most brilliant record you're going to hear for the
foreseeable future, so I recommend immediate purchase. For
drummers, its simply compulsory.ö HEERNT remains MarkÆs main
source of creative energy and is busy playing around the New York
area in support of the record. ô...a slick, burninÆ electrofunk
trioö -Time Out New York. ô . . . a great new band, whose debut,
Locked In a Basement, reveals a sonic concept unlike anyoneÆs.ö û
All About Jazz
MarkÆs most notable sideman work has come alongside world-renowned
jazz bassist Avishai Cohen (of Chick CoreaÆs Origin and New Trio).
Mark has been a member of AvishaiÆs band since 2003 and has
appeared on AvishaiÆs last three studio albums and the soon to be
released "Live at the Blue Note", which will appear not only as a
live record but also as a DVD. The band has performed at some of
the worldÆs most important stages including the Blue Note Jazz
Club in both New York and Tokyo, the Joy of Jazz Festival in
Johannesburg, South Africa, the North Sea Jazz Festival in
Holland, the Jerusalem Theater in Israel, Queen Elizabeth Hall,
Ronnie ScottÆs in London, and many more. Mark has also recorded
and performed with the Jazz Mandolin Project, Bobby McFerrin,
Jason Lindner, Branford Marsalis, and James Williams. For more
information visit www.markguiliana.com.
Shai Maestro
Shai Maestro, the gifted pianist who was born in Israel in 1987,
joined the Avishai Cohen Trio as a fresh new voice in 2006. He
began playing classical piano at the age of 5 with his first
exposure to jazz coming at age of 8, listening to Oscar Peterson's
"Gershwin Songbook". He was later accepted to the Thelma Yellin
High School of Performing Arts in Givataim where he completed his
studies with honors, while simultaneously taking extended
literature classes.
While still a sophomore, he received a full tuition scholarship to
attend Berklee College of Music's Summer Program for two
consecutive years. While on a concert tour in the US, including a
performance at the IAJE with the school's big-band, he auditioned
at Berklee for the 4-year program and was again offered a full
tuition scholarship.
Maestro was first exposed to Avishai Cohen in 1997 during a
concert by the Chick Corea Trio with Gary Burton in Sweden.
Avishai's music had and still has a huge influence on Maestros
musical development alongside with the influences of Bach, Chopin,
Beethoven, Keith Jarrett, Brad Mehldau, Herbie Hancock, Miles
Davis, Chick Corea and many others, as well as German authors
Herman Hesse and the Israeli philosopher Yishayahu Leibowitz.
Other Accolades for Avishai Cohen:
Cohen, pianist Sam Bar-sheshet and drummer Mark Guiliana were
clearly in sync, interacting with technical precision reaching
across the written and improvised portions of music . . .A
virtuosic player...Don Heckman, The Los Angeles Times
. . . strong-toned, agile, melodic . . . a powerful
bandleader...Ben Ratliff, The New York Times.
ô . . . a virtuoso streak the width of Nebraska . . .ö û The
Minneapolis Star Tribune.
ôScene-followers on the lookout for the next young whiz with jaw-
dropping chops will want to take note of pianist Shai Maestro, a
kid from Jerusalem who has liquid lightning in his fingers.ö û
Mpls.St.Paul Magazine.
ô . . . a pulsating live album and DVD that should serve as a
bracing introduction for anyone sadly unaware of his talent.ö ô .
. . æAs IsÆ burns.ö û The Boston Herald.
ôCohen's latest discovery is pianist Shai Maestro, a fellow
Israeli musician, who, at barely 20, is already creating a buzz
among the jazz cognoscenti.ö ô . . . he clearly has the potential
to become a force in his own right.ö æ . . . he plays with a
combination of technical fire and sophistication rare in musicians
of his age.ö û The San Diego Union Tribune.
ô. . . post bop, to free jazz, fused with North African and Middle
Eastern influences û were brilliantly performed and provided a
thoughtful and comprehensive introduction to the range and passion
of Shai MaetroÆs piano virtuosity . . .ö û Sounds Of Timeless
Jazz.
ô. . .favored sideman of everyone from Chick Corea to Alicia Keys
. . .ö û The Boston Globe.
The new album At Home (Razdaz) shows Cohen to be a bandleader with
a big picture point of view and an exceptionally well-rounded
musician. His songs pull from any number of sources: the
Mediterranean, South Africa, the Midddle East, funk and any number
of folk forms."It all dances and its all tied up with jazz."Kirk
Silsbee, L.A. City Beat
The gentle flows with melodic bounce were complemented by fast,
rhythmic gallops, with Cohen singing on his bass as well as
plucking with intensity and propulsive attack. . . . the house
exploded at the exciting end of the set.Down Beat
At Home" is an accomplishment of quiet intensity, principally
based on the successful melding of Cohen's fluid bass with Mark
Guiliana's sympathetic drumming and the subtle contemporary
keyboard work of Sam Barsh." Brett Saunders, The Denver Post.
The music is consistently riveting, but without eclipsing the
ingenuity of the improvisers.?Ç? John Fordham, The Guardian (UK
CONTACTS:
MANAGEMENT & BOOKINGS
Ray Jefford Future History Management 11 Benbridge
Avenue,Bournemouth, Dorset, UK Tel: 44/ 7816 921 753 UK/ World
Cell Fax: 44/ 1202 591721 Skype Name Ray Jefford Email:
management@avishaimusic.com
MANAGEMENT SUPPORT, DISTRIBUTION AND MAIL ORDER
Jane Millington Future History Management Email:
managementsupport@avishaimusic.com Tel : +44 (0)7811 873941 Skype
Name Jane Millington
PUBLICITY
Jason Byrne Red Cat Publicity 55 92nd Street, suite C5, Brooklyn,
New York, 11209, USA. Tel: 347 578 7601 Email:
publicity@avishaimusic.com, or redcatpublicity@aol.com
RADIO
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97217 Tel: 503 286 0006 Email:mark@groovmarketing.com
www.groovmarketing.com
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6832 ext 2 Email:josh@groovmarketing.com