Avishai Cohen - Almah (2013)

With “Almah”, his fourteenth album as leader, the Israeli bass player and composer, Avishai Cohen has gone back to the roots of his first musical experience: classical writing and harmony. The jazz man has never stopped proclaiming this enlightened heritage throughout a career that is colourful and steeped in all kinds of experiences. But he is taking this to new heights by celebrating it this time with an instrumental ensemble that brings together his trio (the pianist Nitai Hershkovits and the drummer Ofri Nehemya), a string quartet and an oboe.

Blending original pieces, standards and covers of old songs, this tireless explorer brings together the best of every musical avenue that takes his fancy: the highly demanding work of the composer coupled with the changing textures and brilliance of the improviser, the sophisticated beauty of the American songbook joining forces with the lyrical power of the popular Israeli or Arabic melodies…“This is an album that defines a new language which carries the genes of a perfect synthesis between classical music and jazz, giving both the depth and respect they deserve.” (Tal Hashiloni, Presenter and Broadcaster)

Dense, deep and full of life, “Almah” touches the very heart of what it means to be an artist with multiple talents and whose expression is totally unique.

Tracklist:

1. Overture 'Noam', Op.1 (03:53)
2. Song For My Brother (04:54)
3. On a Black Horse / Linearity (04:15)
4. A Child is Born (06:24)
5. Arab Medley (04:10)
6. Southern Lullaby (02:38)
7. Hayo Hayta (06:07)
8. Shlosre (03:52)
9. Kefel (03:27)
10. Kumi Venetse Hasadeh (03:44)

Personnel:

Avishai Cohen - bass and voice,
Nitai Hershkovits - piano,
Ofri Nehemya - battery,
Cordelia Hagmann - violin,
Amit Landau - viola,
Noam Haimovitz Weinschel - viola,
Yael Shapira - cello and voice,
Yoram Lakis - oboe.