“The Power of Music is Bigger than Us”
Anat Cohen has been captivating audiences worldwide with her virtuosity, warmth, generosity and unique blend of jazz traditions. She is a true maestro of the jazz clarinet. With her unique blend of classical technique, improvisational brilliance, and a deep understanding of jazz tradition, Cohen has become a leading figure in the contemporary jazz scene. Her ability to seamlessly navigate diverse musical styles, from traditional New Orleans jazz, Brazilian Choro to avant-garde explorations, has earned her a reputation as a versatile and groundbreaking artist. In this exclusive interview, we delve into her musical journey, her inspirations, collaborations and her new upcoming projects.
Jazz Without Borders: Northampton Jazz Festival Will Bring Musicians from Around the World on Sept. 27-28
The Northampton Jazz Festival will bring over 50 musicians from countries around the world to downtown Northampton on Friday, Sept. 27 and Saturday, Sept. 28. “Jazz Without Borders” describes how festival organizers will bring artists and music from all over the world infusing downtown with a cultural melting pot of sound, uniting people through the vibrant diversity of Jazz. On Friday, Sept. 27, the Jazz Strut launches this year’s festival and will run from 4:30 p.m. to midnight, starting at Pulaski Park with two student jazz combo performances from UConn and UMass. The headliner for this year’s festival is Anat Cohen Quartetinho, performing at The Academy of Music on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 7:30 p.m. Anat Cohen is a Grammy-nominated, multi-year, award-winning clarinetist who has created an intimate and joyful sound with her ensemble, “Quartetinho.” On Jazz Fest Day, Sept. 28, all daytime music is free and open to the public.
Northampton Jazz Festival Kicks Off 2024 with Jazz Film Night on June 13
The Northampton Jazz Festival will kick off its 2024 festival season with a documentary film, “Buster Williams Bass to Infinity,” directed and produced by Adam Kahan on Thursday, June 13 at 7 p.m. at Northampton Center for the Arts, 33 Hawley St.
Northampton Jazz Festival Welcomes Two New Board Members
The Northampton Jazz Festival has welcomed two new board members who bring broad skills and deep experience in entrepreneurship, marketing, community organizing and music from world cultures.
Crispy jazz tunes fill the air at the Northampton Jazz Festival
Vibrant harmonies and spontaneous improv solos filled the air on Friday, Sept. 29, as hundreds of people gathered in western Massachusetts to celebrate the uniqueness of the Northampton Jazz Festival.
Northampton Jazz Festival Celebrates Drummer Max Roach’s Centennial on Saturday, September 30
The 2023 Northampton Jazz Festival will kick off its two days of live jazz concerts at Pulaski Park on Friday, Sept. 29 with an evening Jazz Strut throughout downtown Northampton, and free performances will continue at four locations on Saturday, September 30.
Jazz, Rhythm, and Narrative - July 14 at CLICK Workspace
Jazz Rhythm and Narrative - an exhibition of Northampton High School student artwork - CLICK Workspace, July 14, 6 to 9 PM
Northampton Jazz Festival’s 2023 Jazz Film Night features Jazz Drummer Legend Max Roach
During this centennial year of jazz drummer, composer, bandleader and social activist Max Roach’s birth, the Northampton Jazz Festival will kick off its 2023 festival season with a newly premiered film, “Max Roach: The Drum Also Waltzes” on June 15 at 7 p.m. at Northampton Center for the Arts, 33 Hawley St.
Northampton Jazz Festival Seeks Musicians
The Northampton Jazz Festival is seeking jazz musicians to perform at participating downtown merchants and establishments leading up to Jazz Fest Day, September 30.
Jazz Artists in the Schools program returns after two-year hiatus
After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the Elliot Ross Memorial Jazz Artists in the Schools program has returned to Northampton High School with five guest musicians teaching four sessions to students in the Jazz and Rock Improvisation Workshop.
By Reviving a Beloved Event, She’s Creating a More Vibrant Downtown
“I really care about the vitality and the economy of Northampton. I’m hoping the Northampton Jazz Festival will continue to reaffirm and reinforce the unique entertainment value that Northampton offers.”
Thoughts of Dr. Fred Tillis
It is amazing when one person can have a profound affect on how you view music and the world; I can never repay him for all his great work and the eternal influence he has had on me and the world at large. The measure of a real man, and his legacy, is his ability to leave the world in a much better place than it was before his birth.
Second Jazz in the Schools Program Launched at Northampton High School in Honor of Former Student
One of the first students Paul Kinsman got to work with when he landed a student teaching position at Northampton High School was Elliot Ross. “He was a soft-spoken, kind young man who was looking to play bass guitar,” Kinsman remembered. “As a person, Elliot was funny, intelligent and had a huge soul. As a musician, he was a big collaborator. He had a large community of musicians with whom he was friends and with whom he made music.”