By MORDECAI SPECKTOR
Clarinet virtuoso Anat Cohen, a native of Tel Aviv, Israel, returns to the Dakota Jazz Club for two shows on Thursday, Oct. 7.
The critically acclaimed reeds player, who also plays tenor saxophone, will again perform in a quartet setting, with Jason Lindner, piano; Joe Martin, bass; and Daniel Freedman, drums.
Her appearance at the Dakota, where she last performed on April 25, is one of just a few dates on an October tour of the Midwest and California.
Two nights after performing in Minneapolis, Anat Cohen will play on a double bill with her younger brother, trumpeter Avishai Cohen and his trio called Triveni, at Congregation Sherith Israel, as part of the San Francisco Jazz Festival. Avishai Cohen’s group recently released its debut album, Introducing Triveni, on Anat Cohen’s Anzic Records label.
Anat Cohen, a brilliant improviser with plenty of charisma, has risen to the top of the New York City jazz scene, and her last appearance here delighted the Dakota audiences, which included Minnesota Orchestra conductor Osmo Vänskä, himself a clarinetist.
Her most recent album, Clarinetwork: Live at the Village Vanguard, featured music from the repertoire of Benny Goodman (4-16-10 AJW).
The Anat Cohen Quartet will perform sets at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 7 at the Dakota Jazz Club and Restaurant, 1010 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis. For ticket reservations, call 612-332-JAZZ (5299). For information, go to: dakotacooks.com.
In addition to the Dakota shows, the Anat Cohen Quartet will perform 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 8 in the Page Theatre at St. Mary’s University in Winona, Minn. For information, call 507-457-1715.
Below is a video of Anat Cohen performing “Cry Me a River.”