Avashai Cohen [The Trumpet Player]
I bought this disc in early 2005, it was one of those times i went into a big CD store in London [Tower Records Piccadily], decided i need to get more into Jazz, so i went through the Jazz discs A-Z, and this was the one i picked out, perversely i was inspired by the cover, and the fact it was basically a trumpet trio [trumpet / bass / drums] disc, i was very much inspired by Kenny Garrett's TrioLogy disc, it's harder to pay attention to its beauties, but the rewards are great when you really listen, this is a harder listen than the Garrett disc, i guess it's the nearest i have to 'Free Jazz', and it's opened my ears to music on the periphery, it's discs like this which have expanded my understanding of the very foundations of music, and have broadened my comprehension of what music can do.
Avishai Cohen is from Israel, not to be confused with the Jazz Bassist of the same name [also an Israeli], he's now 34, and lives in America, the front / back cover is interesting, not the usual picture you would find adorning the front of a Jazz release, showing Cohen in the kitchen, cleaning components of his trumpet, dishes and ladles nearby, for me the image evokes 'ordinariness', showing everyday normal life rather than superstar Trumpeter, and the music falls in line with this concept, it's a daily way of life, 'Jazz is a lifestyle!'.
Of the three tracks i thought that were superb [1 & 3-4], i felt that track 4 edges it, called 'Olympus', it's actually not a trio track, as Saxophonist Joel Frahm joins in too, it's nearly 9 minutes long, however Frahms presence is nicely held in check, so it still feels very much of a trio, and a double horn Quartet is still a hard listen, i just love the way at the opening, that John Sullivan's bass really makes an impact, and unlike other Bassists, can be lost in the mix, also Drummer Jeff Ballard is well caught, both are extremely inventive, and it's Avishai Cohen that comes in first [0:14+], a tune certainly, but more disguised, it takes a little while for Frahm to join him [1:01+], and at the end of their short duet together, Ballard hits some nice treble tom sounds [1:40-1:49], and then Cohen launches into his solo [1:49-4:40], a lot more freer and lyrical, slowly building up a real intensity, i love his complex notes at [3:06-3:15 & 3:25-3:40], really blowing free, Joel Frahm starts his solo [4:41-6:31], he's more orthodox i believe, just listen to Drummer Ballard in the background really getting into the vibe, and it seems that Sullivan / Ballard would get a chance to solo, but Cohen returns fairly quickly, and Frahm joins in too, with a sort of restatement of the theme, and an outro that fades instead of coming to final stop, deep down some great Jazz music is being played here.
Here's Avishai Cohen playing 'Olympus' on YouTube.
Avishai Cohen is from Israel, not to be confused with the Jazz Bassist of the same name [also an Israeli], he's now 34, and lives in America, the front / back cover is interesting, not the usual picture you would find adorning the front of a Jazz release, showing Cohen in the kitchen, cleaning components of his trumpet, dishes and ladles nearby, for me the image evokes 'ordinariness', showing everyday normal life rather than superstar Trumpeter, and the music falls in line with this concept, it's a daily way of life, 'Jazz is a lifestyle!'.
Of the three tracks i thought that were superb [1 & 3-4], i felt that track 4 edges it, called 'Olympus', it's actually not a trio track, as Saxophonist Joel Frahm joins in too, it's nearly 9 minutes long, however Frahms presence is nicely held in check, so it still feels very much of a trio, and a double horn Quartet is still a hard listen, i just love the way at the opening, that John Sullivan's bass really makes an impact, and unlike other Bassists, can be lost in the mix, also Drummer Jeff Ballard is well caught, both are extremely inventive, and it's Avishai Cohen that comes in first [0:14+], a tune certainly, but more disguised, it takes a little while for Frahm to join him [1:01+], and at the end of their short duet together, Ballard hits some nice treble tom sounds [1:40-1:49], and then Cohen launches into his solo [1:49-4:40], a lot more freer and lyrical, slowly building up a real intensity, i love his complex notes at [3:06-3:15 & 3:25-3:40], really blowing free, Joel Frahm starts his solo [4:41-6:31], he's more orthodox i believe, just listen to Drummer Ballard in the background really getting into the vibe, and it seems that Sullivan / Ballard would get a chance to solo, but Cohen returns fairly quickly, and Frahm joins in too, with a sort of restatement of the theme, and an outro that fades instead of coming to final stop, deep down some great Jazz music is being played here.
Here's Avishai Cohen playing 'Olympus' on YouTube.
