Friday 26^th October, 8:30pm

The Everyman Theatre

Cork Jazz Festival presents

Avishai Cohen Trio

E.S.T. (Esbjorn Svensson Trio)

It is a testament to both the reputations of E.S.T. and The Everyman that this gig was sold out (or very, very close to). More and more, a gig or show at The Everyman promises to be worth the ticket price and never more so than tonight.

The first half was given over entirely to the Avishai Cohen Trio, a Drum/Bass/Piano group led by Cohen on double bass. Settling in quickly, they opened with the bass on a relatively simple repeated ⁷₄ time signature theme. Joined by the piano, it was immediately apparent that these guys know their onions. You see, the piano was working to a slightly different tempo. This is often seen achieved unintentionally by less virtuousic groups who are not entirely sure of what they’re doing, but to manage it as a deliberate act? This is hellishly difficult. It was one hell of an opening and set the scene for the rest of the first half. Cohen is an exciting man to watch on stage – jumping and gesturing as he plays, attacking the bass in every way possible, you are never sure whether he wanted to slap it or take it to bed. All three musicians (what a drum solo!) were a match on stage (I did hear someone saying that they felt that the piano let the side down but I didn’t notice it).

A roaring, jump-up ovation was the result at half time. And, yes, half time is a more appropriate term than interval here, in what emerged as a contest between double-bass trios. The general feeling among the crowd was ‘How will E.S.T. match that?’

Well, E.S.T. took to the stage in an entirely more sombre setting. Led by Svensson on piano, physcally they were closer on stage, the bass was seated to play (I’ve never seen that before) and on average they are older men than those in the first half. It struck me as an archetypal setting of age versus youth. Youth is all bells and whistles, all excitement and Now! Now! Now! Age is calmer, more sedate, more ‘There’s time. Why rush? Relax and enjoy.’ And such was the case here tonight. There’s no doubting the huge talent on stage in all six musicians. Perhaps the balance of skill rested with E.S.T. due simply to the length of practice and experience. Musically they were neck and neck. And E.S.T. has a huge and justified reputation.

However, for my money, the gig of the night came from the Avishai Cohen Trio. The vibrancy and flamboyancy, the beauty and power of the music, compared with the controlled, studied performance of their seniors, left you feeling excited and alive, like an over-sugared child, wanting more, always more.