3 Cohens: Family (2011)

GLENN ASTARITA,

Glenn Astarita

Senior Contributor since 1997

Longtime contributor to AAJ and Downbeat, Jazz Review, EjazzNews, Radio DirectX.

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Published: January 4, 2012

Track review of "On The Sunny Side Of The Street"

It's a family affair that provides a luminous glimpse into the 3 Cohen's' broad jazz vernacular and notable technical expertise. With a formidable supporting lineup, the artists communicate an appealing mix of standards and originals, positioned on a It's a family affair that provides a luminous glimpse into the 3 Cohens' broad jazz vernacular and notable technical expertise. With a formidable supporting lineup, these siblings communicate an appealing mix of standards and originals, positioned on a rather festive modern mainstream jazz program. The musicians' resourceful repertoire contains finger-snapping swing, cool bop and bluesy enunciations, imparting a capacious underpinning, despite not aiming to blaze newfound jazz-related turf during the vibrantly enacted processes.

Inimitable vocalist Jon Hendricks is the special guest here, appearing on Duke Ellington's "The Mooch," and a rearrangement of the pop standard, "On the Sunny Side of the Street," that offers a traditional jazz bridge section where clarinetist Anat Cohen, soprano saxophonist Yuval Cohen and trumpeter Avishai Cohen raise the pitch by instilling a joy touched with a sense of antiquity. Hendrick's customary and duly anticipated scat vocals hearken back to earlier times in jazz, as the septet closes the piece with a customary knockdown, drag-out type finale via soaring choruses in the upper registers.

There's a lot to like on an album which shows a more conventional side to the 3 Cohens' variable capabilities, spanning adventurous progressive-jazz frameworks and improvisation. Indeed, the family's jazz DNA transfers to disc with good cheer and musical mastery.

Personnel: Anat Cohen: tenor saxophone & clarinet; Avishai Cohen: trumpet; Yuval Cohen: soprano saxophone; Aaron Goldberg: piano; Matt Penman: bassl Gregory Hutchinson: drums. Very Special Guest: Jon Hendricks: vocals.

Record Label: Anzic Records