As the melodica player broke into his dance, the electric guitar wailed and the drummer brushed the drum set with urgent fervor, everyone realized that this group was no ordinary jazz quartet.
The Avishai Concert Quartet’s performance last Thursday night at Crowell Concert Hall was more than a typically cool, sophisticated evening of jazz music. The group showcased its amazing musical talent and creativity for a night of wonder, music and entertainment.
Dubbed a jazz quartet, they managed to seamlessly integrate more experimental avant-garde elements into their music, such as an electric guitar, a melodica, and a synthesizer. Cohen was accompanied with saxophonist Yosvany Terry, Sam Bar-sheshet on piano, synthesizer and melodica, and Mark Guiliana on drums.
Cohen, originally from Israel, has been playing music for years. Besides his solo work and playing with the quartet, he is most often heard as influential jazz pianist Chick Corea’s sideman. Cohen often strummed the bass with just his thumb and seemed to be dancing with it while playing, revving the crowd up and smiling the whole time. The Quartet has been together for over two years and is just back from touring in Ireland.
“We are having a blast,” Cohen said. “Being a band for two years is an achievement. I hope you appreciate it.”
The four worked well together on stage; their relaxed and pleasant countenances made it obvious they were having fun. The first piece seemed whimsical and light, in comparison to the second piece that started off with a deeper, more serious feel. Cohen played the bass using a bow in the beginning, which created a somber and intense effect. Later on he used the bass as a percussive instrument by hitting the front and sides with his bare hands. Guiliana hit the sides of cymbals to create a loud tinkering noise that accelerated the tempo from its slowed down pace in the middle of the number. The piece was punctuated by a duet by Terry and Cohen and a final duet by Cohen and Guiliana.
Mark Guiliana was in a trancelike state as he soloed on his drum set through another piece played by the group. The audience sat in silent awe until a round of thunderous applause broke out. Guiliana continued to perform, using traditional elements of drumming along with hitting the side of his drums, chairs and implementing different rates and rhythms.
“My favorite part of the show was the extended drum solo during one of the two new tunes that the group played,” said Kai Johnson ’08. “It was one of the best-developed drum solos I’ve heard. He started so simply, but he built up until he was eventually pounding the bass drum so hard that it was moving away from him. At one point he even had to grab it and pull it back.”
Cohen told the audience that there might only be time for one of the new tunes that group had been working on and asked the audience to decide which one should be played. The audience demanded both be played and told the performers they could stay all night if they wanted to. “Remembering,” from the quartet’s new record “At Home,” was the result. It finished with a whimsical plucking of the inside of the piano.
During the second to last song, Ber-sheshet got off his piano bench to rock out using the melodica. He danced to the entire piece, becoming more frenzied as the song continued.
A standing ovation accompanied the piece, and the quartet performed an encore to the approval of the audience. After the show the group sold CDs, signed posters, and talked to the eager audience.
“Seriously, it’s nice to play for a young crowd,” Cohen said.
“The concert was better than I expected because the group was stronger and more cohesive than I would have imagined,” Johnson said. “All of the musicians were energetic and talented. It made for a great night.”
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