Anat Cohen - Claroscuro (2012/2019) [Hi-Res]

Anat Cohen - celebrated the world over for her expressive virtuosity on clarinet and saxophone, not to mention the sheer joie de vivre in her charismatic stage presence - presents the latest record of her evolution with Claroscuro, her sixth album as a bandleader.

To be released by Anzic Records, Claroscuro takes its title from the Spanish word describing the play of light and shade (chiaroscuro in Italian).

The album ranges from deliciously buoyant dances to darkly lyrical ballads, with live-in-the-studio spontaneity a priority; moreover, Claroscuro showcases Cohen's fluency in a global set of styles, from the creolized chanson of New Orleans and the evergreen swing of an Artie Shaw tune to African grooves and Brazilian choro, sambaand more.

Cohen was joined in the studio by her ace working quartet - pianist Jason Lindner, double-bassist Joe Martin and drummer Daniel Freedman - as well as special guests: trombonist / vocalist Wycliffe Gordon, percussionist Gilmar Gomez and star clarinetist Paquito D'Rivera. In its irresistible variety, Claroscuro encapsulates the description Jazz Police offered of Cohen in flight: "She becomes a singer, a poet, a mad scientist, laughing - musically - with the delight of reaching that new place, that new feeling, with each chorus."

"It is clear from the music of Claroscuro that Anat Cohen has a privileged place on the music of today. Her molten art flows from the vortices that pour out of the Brazilian and jazz traditions. This melds in with elemental sense of longing that propels this artist into the world that encompasses the whole world of music. Perhaps this is why Cohen has an uncanny feeling for the particular Brazilian emotion of “saudade” that is indescribable, but deeply felt especially in her playing on “Tudo Que Voce Podia Ser”. There is more of this bleeding emotion on “The Wedding” and it is this absolutely unforgettable beauty in the music of her soul that makes Anat Cohen one of the most exciting musicians to listen to today, as well as Claroscuro one of the most memorable albums of 2012." (Raul da Gama, latinjazznet.com)

Anat Cohen, clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone
Jason Lindner, piano
Joe Martin, bass
Daniel Freedman, drums
Wycliffe Gordon, trombone, vocal
Paquito d’Rivera, clarinet