Bassist Omer Avital — who has played on local stages, with pianist Omer Klein, and recently with Ravid Kahalani’s Yemen Blues — based the songs comprising The Suite of The East (Anzic Records) on Middle Eastern and North African themes. Avital’s new album (actually recorded in a Manhattan penthouse studio in 2006) enhances his stature as a leading light of the contemporary jazz scene. “Song for Peace,” a 15-minute workout, features amazing solos by trumpet ace Avishai Cohen, followed by Klein and tenor sax wizard Joel Frahm. Drummer Daniel Freedman (who also plays with Avital, Cohen and pianist Yonatan Avishai in the group Third World Love) rounds out the cast here. — M.S.
(American Jewish World, 6.8.12)
