THE FEMININE SIDE OF A JAZZMAN’S SOUL
Israeli-born jazz bassist, pianist, composer and arranger Avishai Cohen performs songs from his recently released album, “Lyla,” his fifth and the first on his new label, Razdaz Recordz. The 11-song collection features Cohen’s International Vamp Band on rhythmically charged tracks, drummer and electronics specialist Mark Guiliana on pop/rock-oriented numbers and vocalists Lola and Jeff Taylor, as well as jazz musician Chick Corea in a piano-bass duet of his song, “Eternal Child.” Cohen, who plays acoustic and electric basses, piano, Wurlitzer and Fender Rhodes, covers pop tunes such as Dr. Dre’s “The Watcher” and the Beatles’ “Come Together.” As for why Cohen titled the album “Lyla,” the name of one of Cohen’s compositions, the artist has said that he wrote the song five years ago during the night, which is the Hebrew meaning of the title, and that “it’s also a beautiful Arabic name for a woman…. And it fits the album as a whole, especially with the more intimate tunes that reveal more of the softer, feminine side of who I am as an artist.”
Joe’s Pub, 425 Lafayette St.; Oct. 1, 7:30 p.m.; $12. (212-239-6200 or www.avishai-music.com or www.joespub.com)
Why I became the Forward’s editor-in-chief
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And what a time to step into the leadership of this storied Jewish institution! For 129 years, the Forward has shaped and told the American Jewish story. I’m stepping in at an intense time for Jews the world over. We urgently need the Forward’s courageous, unflinching journalism — not only as a source of reliable information, but to provide inspiration, healing and hope.
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