The Anat Cohen Tentet

Clarinetist and saxophonist Anat Cohen has taken the jazz world by storm, winning hearts and minds the world over with her expressive virtuosity and delightful stage presence. As JazzTimes says, “With the clarinet she becomes a singer, a dancer, a poet, a mad scientist, laughing – musically – with the sheer delight of reaching that new place, that new feeling, with each chorus.” An established bandleader and prolific composer, Cohen uniquely blends modern and traditional jazz, classical music, Brazilian choro, Argentine tango, and an expansive timeline of Afro-Cuban styles. The perennial winner of “Clarinetist of the Year” titles from DownBeat, JazzTimes, and the Jazz Journalists Association, Cohen has been credited by Fresh Air’s Terry Gross with “bringing the clarinet to the world” and hailed by the New York Times as a “Master.”

Jon Glaser is an actor, writer and comedian. He created and stars in the new show Jon Glaser Loves Gear on truTV.  He also created and starred in Neon Joe Werewolf Hunter, and Delocated, both on adult swim. He played Councilman Jamm in Parks and Recreation, and Laird on Girls, and recently appeared in the film Trainwreck. He was an Emmy nominated writer for Late Night with Conan O’Brien and Inside Amy Schumer, and the author of the book My Dead Dad Was in ZZ Top.

“Putting lightning in a bottle is what Oded Lev-Ari specializes in,” said DownBeat magazine in a feature article on Lev-Ari as a producer. Born in Tel Aviv but a longtime resident of New York City, he released his debut album as a leader, Threading, in April 2015 via Anzic Records, the label he has owned and directed for the past decade alongside iconic clarinetist Anat Cohen. Showcasing his talents as a composer-arranger, Threading hints at diverse sonic worlds, from jazz sound painters Gil Evans and Maria Schneider to tango nuevo king Astor Piazzolla and contemporary classical composers. Ultimately, though, Lev-Ari has his own, individual soundprint, one of cinematic richness and open-hearted lyricism. His numerous record producing credits include Anat Cohen’s Luminosa, vocal trio Duchess’ self-titled debut and woodwind sage Marty Ehrlich’s A Trumpet in the Morning. He served as musical director for a Billie Holiday tribute concert starring Madeleine Peyroux, Bucky Pizzarelli Ron Carter and others at Brazil’s Tudo e Jazz festival. At the piano, Lev-Ari has performed at such New York jazz clubs as Cornelia Street Café and the Stone, as well as at Boston’s Jordan Hall, Tel Aviv’s Mann Auditorium and venues in Canada, Mexico, Russia, France and the Netherlands.

The Anat Cohen Tentet appeared on the scene earlier this year with acclaimed runs at the Jazz Standard and the Newport Jazz Festival. An upcoming release is slated for next spring on Anzic Records. On October 30, the personnel will include: Oded Lev-Ari, Musical Director; Anat Cohen, clarinet; Rubin Kodheli, cello; Nadje Noordhuis, trumpet and flugel horn; Natalie Cressman, trombone; Owen Broder, baritone sax and bass clarinet; James Shipp, vibraphone and percussion; Vitor Gonçalves, piano and accordion; Vic Juris, guitar; Tal Mashiach, bass; and Anthony Pinciotti, drums.