Assured but understated explorations from jazz up-and-comer
On her fourth disc, flavored with the tones of modern New York jazz, clarinetist and tenor saxophonist Anat Cohen strides into the limelight. The depth of Cohen’s talent manifests itself in her ability to pace her playing. On bouncy opener “Washington Square Park,” Cohen maintains a balanced conversation with the other soloists, foreshadowing transitions without bombast or overly technical runs. With an ear for smoother tones but an instinct for Latin-influenced rhythms, Cohen also demonstrates her estimable writing skills on compositions like “Lullaby for the Naive Ones.” The album’s only real weak spot is her gluey blues take on the Sam Cooke masterwork “A Change Is Gonna Come.” Still, if you like your jazz soft and understated but musically dense, Notes From The Village pours like a smooth but complex wine.
Listen to Anat Cohen live at the Village Vanguard on NPR.