Avishai Cohen to Perform at William Paterson

Bassist and composer Avishai Cohen, one of the first Israeli-born jazz musicians to make a big splash in the United States, will perform at William Paterson University in Wayne on Sunday, February 19 at the opening of the spring 2006 Jazz Room Series.

Renowned for a strong and unique style, Cohen often combines Middle Eastern and Israeli music with both electric and acoustic jazz. Until late 2003, he was a member of the Chick Corea New Trio, and accompanist to other jazz noteworthies, including Bobby McFerrin, Roy Hargrove, Herbie Hancock, and Paquito D'Rivera. In recent years, he has been on a world tour with his trio and quartet, featuring two recent William Paterson graduates, pianist Sam Barsh and drummer Mark Guiliana. Cohen's most recent CD, At Home (Razdaz Recordz 2005) is a follow up to his critically acclaimed Lyla (2003), and features 11 new compositions.

Now in its 28th year of exciting performances, The Jazz Room is one of the largest and most prestigious college-sponsored jazz events in the country. Performers include renowned professionals who encompass the complete spectrum of jazz, from practitioners of traditional jazz to avant-garde to bebop to swing to Afro-Latin jazz as well as William Paterson's own student ensembles. The series has won numerous grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts for its innovative programming.

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