Avishai Cohen

Avishai Cohen, one of the most innovative bassists and composers today, who has been called a 'jazz visionary of global proportions' by Down Beat magazine, will release Gently Disturbed, his first release with his newly configured trio, on May 20 on his own Razdaz Recordz label.

'This is story telling from beginning to end, and telling stories is serious fun for Cohen'..... Karsten Mutzelfeldt - Journalist/ Broadcaster, Germany

While to outward appearances the trio would seem to be the standard piano-bass-drum formula, the music they've created on Gently Disturbed is far from the standard jazz trio repertoire. Featuring nine original compositions (written either by Cohen or by the trio collaboratively) and one traditional Israeli song, Gently Disturbed is an amalgamation of melody and groove, complexity and simplicity that nearly redefines the concept of jazz.

With the departure of long-time pianist Sam Barsh (whose solo debut I Forgot What You Taught Me, was just released on Razdaz in February) Cohen has slightly reconfigured his trio with the addition of Israeli pianist Shai Maestro. Since Cohen is an accomplished pianist in his own right, and has performed on bass with such acclaimed jazz pianists as Danilo Perez, Brad Mehldau and of course Chick Corea, and because the previous keyboard players in his bands (Sam Barsh and Jason Lindner) have been exceptional, it is even more striking to note that Maestro just turned 21. Rounding out the trio is the brilliant drummer Mark Guiliana, who has been playing and touring with Cohen since 2003 and who was cited in Modern Drummer's 2007 Readers Poll 2007 as 'one of the best up-and-coming stars of today's drumming scene.'

Cohen's releases on Razdaz, which he founded with manager Ray Jefford in 2003, have consistently earned critical approbation, beginning with 2003's Lyla, followed by At Home in 2005, and through to 2006's critically acclaimed Continuo then followed by last year's Double Live CD/DVD release, As Is ... Live At The Blue Note (Razdaz / Half Note.)

Avishai Cohen relocated to New York 1992 after studying classical/jazz piano and bass in his native Israel, (Music & Arts Academy and with Maestro Michael Klinghoffer) and in the United States (in St. Louis). After attending both the New School and Mannes College of Music in New York City, and studying with bassist Andy Gonzalez, Cohen performed in a Latin jazz band that included Abel Rodriguez and Ray Santiago. As a result of this experience, combined with his deep understanding and love of Latin music and jazz, Cohen got the call to join pianist Danilo Perez's trio. In 1996, he left Perez' group to become a founding member of Chick Corea's new sextet, Origin.

Cohen also released four CDs on Corea's Stretch / Concord Records: Adama (1998,) Devotion (1999,) Colors ( 2000,) and Unity (2001.)

Cohen now lives in Tel Aviv. He will tour Europe throughout 2008, with US dates in the works for later in 2008 - 2009.

For additional information, visit www.razdazrecordz.com and www.avishaimusic.com Music, jpegs and artist bios will be available in March, by contacting cary@gomediapr.com