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| BASS HITS at Iridium April 7 - 10 Three elite bassists whose combined credits represent a Who's Who in Jazz will share the stage on April 7 - 10 in New York City in a special “Bass Hits” program at Iridium Jazz Club (1650 Broadway at 51st Street). Jazz masters Richard Davis, Eddie Gomez and Avishai Cohen will appear as the featured performers, accompanied by the dynamic drummer Lenny White and pianists George Colligan and Mark Kramer. Avishai Cohen was one of the first Israel-born jazz musicians to make a big splash in the U.S. Cohen moved to New York permanently in 1992 after studying classical/jazz piano and bass in 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, Cohen performed with fellow students such as pianist Brad Mehldau. After 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. Cohen moved on from Perez's band in 1996 to become a founding member of the legendary Chick Corea's new sextet, “Origin.” Until late in 2003, Avishai was a member of the Chick Corea New Trio, and accompanist to other jazz noteworthies, including Bobby McFerrin, Roy Hargrove, Herbie Hancock, Nnenna Freelon, Claudia Acuña, Paquito D'Rivera and many others. Avishai has become a first call musician in multiple genres. In 2003 he made a studio recording with pop-soul artist Alicia Keys, and has also performed concert works with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra and The Boston Pops Symphony. 2003 was a busy year for the bassist. In addition to his playing and composing activities, Cohen decided to create his own record label. “I've always been interested in several genres of music, including jazz, rock, pop, Latin and funk,” said Cohen. “And I'm always packed with ideas, so I decided to start my own label because I'm involved in so many different projects.” Eddie Gomez has been on the cutting edge of the jazz scene since his debut in the mid-sixties. Born on October 4, 1944 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, he grew up in New York and was with the Newport Festival Youth Band from 1959-1961 before attending the Juilliard School of Music. His early work in jazz included stints with Marian McPartland, Paul Bley, Giuseppe Logan, Gerry Mulligan and Gary McFarland. But it was his long association with the Bill Evans Trio (1966-1977) that brought him international prominence. A player of remarkable facility, Gomez's agile flights into the bass' high register is an extension of the Scott LaFaro approach to the instrument while his bowing work reflects his classical training. Gomez' unique sound and style has graced hundreds of recordings spanning the worlds of jazz, classical, Latin jazz, folk and popular music. Some of his significant sideman work in the '70s, '80s and '90s include tours and recordings with such artists as jazz legends Dizzy Gillespie and Charles Mingus, guitarists Ralph Towner, Emily Remler and George Benson, pianists McCoy Tyner, Chick Corea, Joanne Brackeen, Michel Petrucciani and Eliane Elias, saxophonist Bennie Wallace, trumpeter Freddie Hubbard and Latin jazz bandleader Ray Barretto. During the '70s he was a member of Jack DeJohnette's New Directions band and from 1980 to 1984 he was a member of the group Steps Ahead featuring vibist Mike Mainieri, saxophonist Michael Brecker, drummer Steve Gadd and pianist Don Grolnick. In 1991 he became a member of The Gadd Gang formed by drummer Steve Gadd. Eddie's most recent Stateside release as a leader is 1988's Dedication on the Columbia label. Richard Davis is a renowned educator and performing artist whose virtuoso bass playing was a major asset on recordings by Eric Dolphy, Booker Ervin, Dexter Gordon, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Andrew Hill, Ben Webster, Elvin Jones, Stan Getz, Earl Hines, Hank Jones and Billy Cobham. Born in Chicago on April 15, 1930, his early jazz jobs included stints with pianist Ahmad Jamal (1953-1954) and singer Sarah Vaughan (1957-1960). He was a regular member of the Thad Jones / Mel Lewis Orchestra from 1966-1972 and in 1977 became an educator at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he still teaches. Davis has made over a dozen albums as a leader, including dates for the MPS, Muse, Flying Dutchman, Galaxy, Hep and Sweet Basil labels. His latest recording is 2001's The Bassist: Homage to Diversity on the Palmetto label. One of the most technically skilled of all acoustic bassists, Davis is equally at home in the jazz and classical worlds, having played in symphony orchestras during the 1960s under the batons of Leopold Stokowski, Igor Stravinsky, Pierre Boulez, Gunther Schuller, and Leonard Bernstein. His great versatility as a bassist keeps him in constant demand for worldwide concert appearances. For over forty years he has drawn enthusiastic audiences throughout Europe, in Japan, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Cuba, The West Indies, Hong Kong and Israel. write your comments about the article :: © 2005 Jazz News :: home page |