Record Reviews

AVISHAI COHEN ~ AS IS… LIVE AT THE BLUE NOTE HALF NOTE 4531 (Barcode: 616892453123) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz Recorded: 2006 Released: 2007 Avishai CohenFind albums by this artist, Israeli Jazz Ambassador in NY, presents his beautiful music in full glory on this CD & DVD set, recorded live at the legendary NY Blue Note Club. Since the 1990s Cohen established his career by playing with some of the finest musicians in the US: Paquito D`RiveraFind albums by this artist, Roy HargroveFind albums by this artist, Danilo PerezFind albums by this artist and of course Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist (in Corea’s group OriginFind albums by this artist and his trio). Universally accepted as one of the top contemporary bass players, Cohen is also a prolific composer and his music, deeply influenced by Middle-Eastern motifs, is always fresh and uplifting. This recording with his regular trio (Sam BarshFind albums by this artist – keyboards and Mark GuillianaFind albums by this artist – drums) augmented by Diego UrcolaFind albums by this artist – trumpet and Jimmy GreeneFind albums by this artist – saxophones, features a set of Cohen’s compositions (with the exception of one standard) and emphasizes his great talents as a player and a composer. The music is, as always in his case, complex and yet melodic with all the qualities required of good modern Jazz. Definitely something any Jazz listener will enjoy immensely.

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WAYNE SHORTER ~ CELEBRATION, VOLUME 1 BLUE NOTE 602465350685 (Barcode: 602465350685) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2014 Released: 2024 This is an archive 2CD live album by American saxophonist / composer / bandleader Wayne ShorterFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet setting with Panamanian pianist Danilo PerezFind albums by this artist and American rhythm section consisting of bassist John PatitucciFind albums by this artist and drummer Brian BladeFind albums by this artist. The music was recorded in Stockholm, Sweden and presents ten tracks, three of which are original compositions by Shorter, five are variations of the “Zero Gravity” collective composition credited to all four members of the quartet and two are standards. Judging by the title, this is just the first volume of unreleased live music recorded by Shorter, which he selected for release in the last months of his life, and which will be released by Blue Note in the future. The music is everything one might expect from Shorter, who never played a wrong note in his life and who was one of the great leaders of the American Jazz for decades, both as a leader and band member in the most important acts since 1960s and until his death in 2023. He managed not only to keep being up to date, but often was at the very vanguard of Jazz development. Overall, this is a terrific example of Shorter’s abilities as a saxophonist and a leader of an ensemble, and a great live performer, of unmatched intensity and imagination. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 04/12/2025Posted: 04/12/2025

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