Waverly Seven/Anat Cohen Quartet December 2, 2007

We Always Swing Jazz Series Presents: Waverly Seven/Anat Cohen Quartet - Adults: $21, $26, $30/ Students: $16, $21
Doors open at 7:00pm

It's rare that the Jazz Series takes on a double bill, but the joint appearance of the Anat Cohen Quartet and Waverly Seven, with their exciting and shared musical cast of characters, makes this a special case indeed. Since arriving in New York in 1999, Tel Aviv-born clarinetist/saxophonist and bandleader Anat Cohen has established herself as one of her generation's primary musical voices. The critics seem to agree awarding Cohen Downbeat Magazine's 2007 "Rising Star" & "Talent Deserving Wider Attention" honors. Her worldly experience, which includes a stint at the Berklee College of Music, has made her equally conversant in modern and traditional jazz, classical music, Brazilian choro, Argentine tango and the varied Afro-Cuban styles. The product of a musical family Anat Cohen's brother, Avashai Cohen, is also a bandmate here as part of Waverly Seven. Waverly Seven recaptures an era in American popular culture when outstanding instrumentalists were expected to be entertainers. The ensemble comprised of hot young New York City jazz musicians formed in 2006 as they banded together to make music that is both high in quality and filled with playfulness and fun. The group's critically acclaimed recording, Yo! Bobby (Anzic Music), employs a potpourri of instrumentation with members seemingly arriving spontaneously with a pinch of zaniness and likewise departing momentarily to clear the air for others to fill. This somewhat "Que Sera Sera" attitude rings true and authentic; collectively the members of Waverly 7 are about as far from pretentious as one can get. That's because ultimately this is a talent-laden, well-schooled and well-traveled seven-piece group comprised of seasoned and highly capable members who can, with equal adeptness, double and triple on instruments. While Anat Cohen and Waverly Seven as a self-contained entities make their respective first Jazz Series appearances, we are pleased to welcome back some of the individual members including saxophonist Joel Frahm, who appeared previously at Murry's with vocalist Jane Monheit, and pianist Jason Lindner, who performed at Whitmore Recital Hall on the MU campus in support of vocalist Claudia Acuna. This evening has all the makings to be something special. Expect the unexpected – from the traditional to the improvisational. The Waverly Seven/Anat Cohen performance is produced in partnership with and support for Congregation Beth Shalom.

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