Anat Cohen Albums (4)
What The Critics Say
Anat Cohen's fourth CD as a leader has her clarinet nestled snugly in a modern progressive jazz quartet, playing her original music and select standards rearranged to suit her multicultural tastes. Klezmer, African, and gospel musics are not beyond her purview as injected into this diverse music, all vehicles that are perfect for her lilting, imaginative, bold, and eminently tuneful woodwind. With the extraordinary pianist Jason Lindner, bassist Omer Avital, and drummer Daniel Freedman, Cohen has a talented, seasoned, and likeminded peer group to execute fully her vision and personal brand of jazz that only she can claim. The dancing mode of "Washington Square Park," one of three selections with guest guitarist Gilad Hekselman (remember that name), is absolutely irresistible, a joyous and celebratory theme from tribal sources via the perky soprano sax of Cohen. Lindner rearranged the famous Ernesto Lecuona standard "Siboney" in typical solemn tones, while a similarly serene version of John Coltrane's "After the Rain" is enhanced by the assured and poignant bass clarinet of the leader. Cohen interprets Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come" uniquely in a stealthy, late-night soul brew, and her version of "Jitterbug Waltz" is literally jittery -- a spiky, super-kinetic, staccato-saturated idea, bouncing off the walls. Cohen's "J Blues" mixes probing south side Chicago street smarts with active New York City klezmer, and the pensive "Until You're in Love Again" also reflects Jewish heritage. Then there's "Lullaby for the Naïve Ones," coming straight from a children's music box, cemented by the tinkling Rhodes of the ever aware and uniquely talented Lindner. What makes Cohen's music so special, aside from the high level of musicianship, is her fertile imagination. Through all of her efforts as a leader there's hardly a speck of filler, but rather a wealth of ideas and the desire to expand the purview of her instrument beyond putative traditional swing. In the liner notes, Ira Gitler deems her as transcendent and formidable, an apt description for the best modern jazz clarinetist in current-day jazz, and perfectly reflective of this excellent recording. ~ Michael G. Nastos, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
A talented saxophonist and clarinetist originally from Israel, Anat Cohen has strong tones on tenor, soprano and clarinet and is a creative improviser within the modern mainstream of jazz. She contributed six excellent originals to her debut recording including a few wistful ballads and the somewhat heated "87 North." Her clarinet playing on "Veinte Anso," an immediately recognizable Cuban melody taken here as a tango, is charming. Her quartet, which teams her with the versatile and supportive pianist Jason Lindner, is expanded on four numbers that add her brother Avishai Cohen (no relationship to the famous bassist) who contributes some effective trumpet. With the Cohens sharing the front line and Lindner dropping out, they re-create the sound of the Gerry Mulligan Quartet on "As Catch Can" (even if tenor is substituted for Mulligan's baritone). The other songs are generally more exotic, displaying Anat Cohen's interest in Latin music and her Israeli heritage. All in all, this is a very impressive debut. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
