2006 Concert Series

The Avishai Cohen Ensemble
December 13, 2006

Avishai Cohen Ensemble is led by one of the most in demand trumpet players in New York and around the globe. For this special event he formed a group of Israeli musicians that will perform a set which was tailored specially for Chanukah, featuring Anat Cohen on clarinet. The music blends Avishai's love of African music, traditional jazz and his Israeli heritage to create a dynamic musical experience focusing on rhythmic exploration, unusual compositional forms and groove.

While living in Tel Aviv, Israel, trumpeter Avishai Cohen was the trumpet player of choice for all leading jazz, rock, pop studio and television projects, recording with Israeli artists such as Gidi Gov, Shalom Chanoch, Arik Einstein, Asaf Amdurski and Eviatar Banai. He placed third in the prestigious Thelonius Monk Jazz Trumpet Competition and was awarded second place in the Carmine Caruso Jazz Trumpet Competition.

Avishai has performed with artists such as Dave Liebman, the late Arnie Lawrence, John Hendrix, Jimmy Heath, George Garzone, Clark Terry, Ira Sullivan, Jason Lindner, Omer Avital, Jeff Ballard and many more.
His first album as a bandleader, "The Trumpet Player" with Jeff Ballard, John Sullivan and Joel Frahm was released on the Fresh Sound New Talent label. The record was chosen by Ben Ratliff of the New York Times as one of the records of the Sunday Times Playlist.

'A Very Jazzy Chanukah'
Avishai Cohen Ensemble

Program

Heavy Water/ Water Breaking
Gigi Et Amelie
Nature's Dance
Ner Li, Ner Li (I have a Candle) - chanukah Song
Mozartine
Lies And Gossip
Days Of Chanukah
Parto Forte

The Avishai Cohen Ensemble is:
Avishai Cohen - Trumpet
Anat Cohen - Clarinet and Saxes
Alon Yavnai - Piano
Omer Avital - Bass
Eric McPherson - Drums

Press Highlights

"Avishai Cohen has all the power and tenacity he's going to need...a band that rewrote its own rules in each song."
- Ben Ratliff, New York Times

"Avishai Cohen the trumpet player is a stunningly good player, with a strong, clear, incisive tone, an enviable melodic imagination and a powerful drive. He writes impressively too..."
- Barry Witherden, Jazz Review