Avishai Cohen – Eternal Child

Description

Avishai Cohen returns with ‘Eternal Child’, honouring the legacy of Chick Corea.

Featuring Itay Simhovich (piano), Eviatar Slivnik (drums) and special guest Jeff Ballard, the album bridges generations through bold compositions. From intimate lyricism to explosive rhythmic precision. Avishai Cohen delivers a masterclass in modern jazz that is both timeless and transformative.

“For once,” Avishai confides, “the album title isn’t one of my own compositions.” That title, ‘Eternal Child’, was penned by the legendary Chick Corea – a figure who remains one of the most decisive, life-altering encounters of Avishai’s career. To him, the name carries a profound, soulful weight. “Remaining an eternal child is the lot of many artists,” he says. “Those are the lucky ones.”

The choice became undeniable the moment he saw a photograph of himself at age four or five – the same image that now graces the album cover. The gaze is unmistakable; fifty years later, that same spark burns just as bright. “What I notice in that photo is the sense of wonder in my eyes. I was a daydreamer. I loved nature. Today, I remain fascinated by it, by music, and by everything magical. And in those child’s eyes, I can already see a zest for life, play and a hunger for curiosity.”

At the heart of this record is a youthful trio: pianist Itay Simhovich (22) and drummer Eviatar Slivnik (30). What strikes you immediately is Avishai Cohen’s evident return to jazz – a move he fully embraces and claims: “It’s the most ‘jazz’ album I’ve made to date.”

While Itay Simhovich and Eviatar Slivnik belong to a new generation, their DNA is deeply rooted in the heavy-hitting traditions of Miles Davis, the Jazz Messengers and the trios of Bill Evans or Ahmad Jamal. Within this classic colouring, however, the continuity of Avishai’s own musical universe remains seamless and strikingly modern.

The ‘icing on the cake’ is the presence of a second drummer, Jeff Ballard. “I wanted the choice between Jeff and Eviatar without anything being predetermined. It evolved through the studio takes. Jeff joined us on the third day. On ‘Sliv El’, the trio started with Eviatar and we ended as a duo – Jeff on drums and me on piano. I imagined bringing both drummers together at least once, just to shake up our habits. It was also a way to remember the very beginning of my history with Jeff; after I introduced him to Chick, we used to rehearse as a duo in his Brooklyn apartment. He had a Fender Rhodes there, and that’s how I first introduced him to my compositions.”

The ten tracks on the album share a common thread: each corresponds to someone in Avishai’s circle or an intimate story.

These ten variations are bathed in a sun-drenched jazz, revolving around Avishai Cohen’s two unbreakable fundamentals: groove and melody. “When Chick decided to record my band and first album, he then created his own band, ‘Origin’, with a line up which consisted of members almost entirely from my own band, it was a great compliment to me. Since then, I have recorded over 20 albums and never stopped. ‘Eternal Child’ reflects all of my musical endeavours and brings me to now. I hope you enjoy.” – Avishai

EU touring throughout the year, including three dates at London’s Ronnie Scott’s in May.