Yuval Cohen, a native of Tel Aviv who plays soprano saxophone, is known to many as one of the 3 Cohens, the jazz ensemble that includes his siblings, Anat, a clarinet luminary on the New York jazz scene; and Avishai, who plays trumpet with the SF Jazz Collective, Keren Ann et al. On Song Without Words (Anzic Records), Yuval Cohen collaborates with young piano ace Shai Maestro on eight songs — a mix of original compositions and covers, including an oblique take on the standard “Bye, Bye, Blackbird,” which finally wends its way to the well-known melody. Jazz fans will also want to hear Yuval and his talented sibs on the new 3 Cohens album, Family (Anzic Records), a consistently enjoyable recording, which includes a few vocals by the legendary Jon Hendricks. — M.S.
(American Jewish World, 11.25.11)
