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Anat Cohen Quotes

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About Anat Cohen

Anat Cohen, born on August 14, 1971, in Tel Aviv, Israel, is an internationally acclaimed jazz saxophonist and clarinetist who has made significant strides in blending traditional Jewish music with contemporary jazz. Raised in a musical family, Anat's love for music was nurtured from a young age. She began her musical journey on the clarinet at the age of five and soon after, picked up the saxophone. By 14, she was already performing with some of Israel's top jazz artists. In 1993, Anat moved to Boston, Massachusetts, to study at the New England Conservatory of Music. There, she honed her skills under the tutelage of saxophonist Joe Viola and clarinetist Paquito D'Rivera. Her time in Boston was instrumental in shaping her unique sound, as she immersed herself in the vibrant jazz scene of the city. In 2004, Anat moved to New York City, the global hub of jazz, where she quickly became a sought-after performer and collaborator. She has since worked with musical legends such as Danilo Pérez, Chick Corea, and Herbie Hancock. Anat's major works include her debut album "Standards, Vol. 1" (2007), which earned her a Grammy nomination, and "Memphis: Songs of Home" (2013), a tribute to her childhood in Israel, which also received a Grammy nod. Her most recent album, "Happy Song" (2020), showcases her versatility as both a saxophonist and clarinetist. Anat Cohen continues to push the boundaries of jazz music, seamlessly blending traditional Jewish melodies with contemporary rhythms. Her unique style and captivating performances have made her a beloved figure in the jazz world.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Jazz is a language without boundaries."

Anat Cohen's quote, "Jazz is a language without boundaries," emphasizes jazz music as a universal, inclusive form of artistic expression that transcends cultural, geographical, or societal limitations. It signifies the freedom, creativity, and boundless potential inherent in jazz, inviting musicians worldwide to explore, innovate, and communicate with one another through this vibrant, evolving language.

"Music is like a dream. One that you remember when you wake up."

This quote by Anat Cohen suggests that music has the power to transport us into a realm of emotion, imagination, and personal resonance similar to dreams. When we listen to music, it evokes memories, feelings, and stories that seem surreal yet familiar, just like waking up from a dream. Music serves as a medium to express the intangible, making abstract emotions tangible and relatable, thus fostering shared experiences and connections between people.

"I think every musician should try to learn as much theory and harmony as they can, but it's equally important to spend time developing your own voice on the instrument."

This quote emphasizes the importance of both theoretical knowledge (music theory and harmony) and personal expression (developing one's unique voice) in becoming a well-rounded musician. While mastering musical concepts provides a foundation for composition and improvisation, it's equally crucial to nurture individuality, creativity, and the development of one's own distinctive sound or style on an instrument. The quote encourages musicians to strike a balance between technical proficiency and personal artistic growth.

"The beauty of improvisation is that it allows us to constantly evolve, to reinvent ourselves."

This quote emphasizes the transformative power of improvisation. Anat Cohen suggests that improvisation, in music or any creative endeavor, is a tool for perpetual growth and self-reinvention. By allowing us to respond spontaneously and flexibly to new situations, we can adapt, change, and innovate ourselves – both as artists and individuals. This process of evolution enables us to express our ever-evolving selves in unique ways that enrich not only our own lives but also those who witness our creations.

"I always say, 'Never play what's there, play what's not there.'"

This quote emphasizes the importance of musical creativity and originality over imitation or adhering strictly to notes in a composition. Anat Cohen suggests that instead of simply playing what is written, musicians should strive to add their own unique interpretations, filling gaps or spaces within the music with their personal expressions, thereby creating something new and exciting. This approach encourages both improvisation and originality, which are essential elements in the evolution and enjoyment of music.

With cab drivers, I always say I'm from Brazil. I don't say I'm from Israel. It's happened more than once that someone is blaming me for the government's policy. And I say, 'Listen, I live here. I'm a musician. I don't call the shots.'

- Anat Cohen

Brazil, Here, Cab, Blaming

Some old people, they remember that they used to play clarinet, and they remember the squeaks of the clarinet. But I don't play like that.

- Anat Cohen

Remember, Play, Some, Old People

Influences at home, including classical music, were not all specifically jazz, but the family radio was always on... So there was always some connection to American culture, to American music.

- Anat Cohen

Some, Always, Including, Specifically

I'm helping people think the clarinet is cool.

- Anat Cohen

Cool, Think, Helping, Helping People

I think maybe the only time I think of being a woman... is being on the road and making sure my musicians are fed and they sleep. 'Are you OK? Do you need some water? Are you hungry? Can I get you a cookie?' I'm not sure all the men bandleaders do that.

- Anat Cohen

Woman, Some, I Think, OK

My initial training was on the keyboard - mainly the great American songbook. In junior high, during the day, I was a classical clarinetist, but after school, I played New Orleans jazz and big-band music.

- Anat Cohen

Training, Jazz, Classical, Orleans

Israel is a mishmash of other cultures. It's like New Orleans; it's a meltdown of other cultures.

- Anat Cohen

New, New Orleans, Meltdown, Orleans

To me, music is a luminous experience. Whenever I'm immersed in it, life lights up for me, no matter what else is going on.

- Anat Cohen

Experience, Matter, Going, Luminous

I flow between modern and traditional jazz, between samba and choro - all maybe in a week's time.

- Anat Cohen

Week, Modern, Traditional, Flow

The best part about living in New York is that you are able to play with different people in different styles in the same week. It's really part of who I am as a musical person. I try to incorporate everything that I encounter.

- Anat Cohen

Play, Week, Different Styles, Best Part

I definitely see myself as an international musician. When I play, I respect the source of the music, whether it's Cuban, Brazilian or Israeli. I try to bring that to all of the music I play. Music has no borders and no flags.

- Anat Cohen

Myself, Play, Borders, International

Boston was incredible. I had some of the best experiences of my life there at Berklee because I met a bunch of other people who were at the exact same stage in life and interest as me. There were American and international students all wrapped up in the Berklee environment, where you basically did nothing but music 24/7.

- Anat Cohen

My Life, Boston, Some, International

The clarinet is not so dominant in Israeli music as it is in klezmer. I heard klezmer when I was growing up, but for some reason I avoided it. I listened to Louis Armstrong instead. But the sense of melody is the connection between jazz and klezmer.

- Anat Cohen

Reason, Jazz, Some, Louis

My everyday life is not just walking around on clouds. But you have to give the really special things in life importance and not let the temporary things roll you off the road.

- Anat Cohen

Give, Temporary, Importance, Everyday

I was focusing on sax while at Berklee, but then I started to play Brazilian choro and Colombian music. I was doing more folkloric stuff on the clarinet because it works better. Finally, I realized I was working more on the clarinet than the saxophone, and I started to feel more comfortable on it.

- Anat Cohen

Play, Doing, Works, Sax

Clarinet is often associated with certain genres, like swing or folk music. I combine the old and new, using the clarinet as an expressive tool and not in one genre. I'm just happy that people are drawn to what I do.

- Anat Cohen

Music, Happy, Folk Music, Combine

My father knew classical music very well. Driving in the car, listening to the radio, he could name every composer, every movement, what piece it was. I was fascinated by the way he recognized who wrote what.

- Anat Cohen

Father, Very, Classical, Classical Music

I've always been attracted to multicultural music. It's where the world is going.

- Anat Cohen

Music, Always, Been, Multicultural

I prefer to solve conflict with kindness. That's my first approach. If that doesn't work, there's always the alternative. I'm from Israel. I can tell a person what I think if I have to!

- Anat Cohen

Think, Always, I Think, Conflict

Sometimes I get off stage, and I almost have no recollection of what happened. It's almost like a trance; it's very bizarre.

- Anat Cohen

Very, Bizarre, Almost, Trance

Avishai my brother always says to the audience, 'If you weren't here, it would just be a rehearsal.' So it's important to me to acknowledge and engage them. I know that they are there for me, and I'm humbled by that.

- Anat Cohen

Me, Here, Would, Engage

The clarinet chose me more than I chose the clarinet.

- Anat Cohen

Me, More, Than, Chose

I like to listen to African music; I like to listen to Brazilian music that's not just Choro. I love to listen to Radiohead, I like to listen to James Brown - any music.

- Anat Cohen

Love, Like, James, Radiohead

Whether it's performing a concert with my quartet or sitting in with my peers, enjoying musical conversations at home with my brothers or hanging and playing choro with my friends - sharing moments in that bright space of music are the happiest times.

- Anat Cohen

Happiest, Brothers, Peers, Sharing

There's always this joke that I say in Israel: people don't really have discussions; they just try to convince the other people that they are wrong or they are right - they just try to impose their opinion on the others. Sometimes I think it's easier to avoid talking about things and just make music.

- Anat Cohen

Sometimes, Other, I Think, Joke

I have two brothers that are musicians. My older brother, Yuval, is a saxophone player. My younger brother, Avishai, is a trumpet player.

- Anat Cohen

Older Brother, Brothers, Player

My father had lived in the States in the 1960s for a while and came to love American Songbook material. Even today, he sometimes recognizes singers that I never even heard of, which is beautiful and inspiring.

- Anat Cohen

Love, Father, Sometimes, To Love

I'm working really hard to get the clarinet out of that hole, that Benny Goodman thing.

- Anat Cohen

Working, Get, Benny, Hole

I focused on the saxophone ever since high school. It wasn't until my album 'Poetica,' which I recorded in 2006, that I went back to the clarinet. It felt like it was waiting for me!

- Anat Cohen

Waiting, Like, Which, Recorded

My parents never said to me, 'Why don't you go and get a real profession?' And that really helped.

- Anat Cohen

Go, Why, Profession, Helped

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