Sharonne Cohen is a Montreal-based writer and editor. A music journalist since 2001, she has contributed to publications including JazzTimes, DownBeat, OkayPlayer, VICE/Noisey, Afropop Worldwide, The Revivalist, and La Scena Musicale; her articles are often accompanied by her photographs.
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Pianist Ted Rosenthal devotes his 13th recording exclusively to staples of the Great American Songbook, with the expressed intention of “presenting (or deranging)” them in … Read More “Ted Rosenthal Trio: Out of This World”
Francisco Mela and his Cuban Safari take us on a journey from progressive postbop to fusion, Afro-Cuban and beyond. The drummer’s third album as a … Read More “Francisco Mela & Cuban Safari: Tree of Life”
Tigran Hamasyan’s fourth album, a vibrant solo recording drawing from the music and poetry of his native Armenia, further solidifies the acclaim the 24-year-old pianist … Read More “Tigran Hamasyan: A Fable”
On his second U.S. recording, 26-year-old Cuban pianist Harold López-Nussa leads his trio-bassist Felipe Cabrera and drummer (and younger brother) Ruy Adrian López-Nussa-through a set … Read More “Harold López-Nussa Trio: El País de las Maravillas”
Trumpeter and flugelhorn player Etienne Charles’ third recording marks another chapter in his engagement with the music and culture of his homeland, Trinidad. Kaiso-a term … Read More “Etienne Charles: Kaiso”
SFJAZZ Collective, Ari Hoenig and Maceo Parker keep things warm up north
On Fé, Gonzalo Rubalcaba’s debut for his new label, 5Passion, the Cuban pianist and composer once again bridges the worlds of jazz, classical and Afro-Cuban … Read More “Gonzalo Rubalcaba: Fé”
This intimate solo album, recorded live at the Fazioli Piano Loft of the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway, N.J., captures pianist Jean-Michel Pilc … Read More “Jean-Michel Pilc: Essential”
Second of two reviews by Sharonne Cohen on performances from the 32nd edition of festival held in Montreal on June 25 through July 4, 2011
First of two reviews from Sharonne Cohen on performances from the 32nd edition of festival held in Montreal on June 25 through July 4, 2011
The second leader project by Israeli saxophonist Shauli Einav, an NYC city resident since 2008 and a year shy of 30, attests to his immersion … Read More “Shauli Einav: Opus One”
Sharonne Cohen reviews shows by Femi Kuti, Charlie Hunter, Ibrahim Maalouf and other artists appearing in shows presented by festival
A departure for bassist and composer Ben Allison, whose nine previous recordings featured mostly original material, this album focuses on covers, tackling material by artists … Read More “Ben Allison: Action-Refraction”
Bassist Chris Minh Doky’s 11th album presents a trio, with drummer Larry Goldings and drummer Peter Erskine, joined on most tracks by the Dutch Metropole … Read More “Chris Minh Doky: Scenes From a Dream”
The disparate musical roots of master percussionist Trilok Gurtu and renowned rock/jazz/fusion drummer Simon Phillips come together on 21 Spices, an East-West drummer’s summit backed … Read More “Trilok Gurtu wtih Simon Phillips & NDR Big Band: 21 Spices”
Treelines, from Montreal-based saxophonist-composer Christine Jensen and her Jazz Orchestra, is a dynamic recording inspired by eclectic sources-the landscapes of her native British Columbia, Canadian … Read More “Christine Jensen Jazz Orchestra: Treelines”
The ever-evolving groups led by Israeli-born, NYC-based bassist Omer Avital are entwined with the institution that is Smalls. A member of the now-legendary Jason Lindner … Read More “Omer Avital Quintet: Live at Smalls”
Namaskar, a Sanskrit salutation expressing reverence and respect, is the name of the debut solo recording of gifted drummer and tabla player Sameer Gupta. A … Read More “Sameer Gupta: Namaskar”
Drummer Ari Hoenig’s regular Monday night gig at Smalls has enabled him to explore different ensembles, among them a trio with pianist Jean-Michel Pilc and … Read More “Ari Hoenig Punk Bop: Live at Smalls”
Review of performance by Cuban pianist at L’Astral in Montreal
Sharonne Cohen reviews concerts at the Montreal International Jazz Festival
The title of this recording implies a dissolving duality; a single, new color emerging when two are blended. Indeed, Gerald Clayton’s debut as a leader, … Read More “Gerald Clayton: Two-Shade”
