Avishai Cohen and Makoto Ozone named their project The Amity Duet, Duo of Friendship. The main inspiration for their collaboration is “friendship, peace, harmony and mutual understanding”. They intend to transfer this harmony and sense of solidarity to the audience.

“Being in tandem with Makoto is really exciting for me. He has that rare kind of piano mastery that blends classical and jazz skills. Which is a perfect combination for me,” Cohen explained. Ozone adds: “Ever since I first heard Avishai, I dreamed that one day we would play together. Now, it is finally happening. I can’t tell you how wonderful I feel about music composed by a true genius.”

As one of the points of synergy from which they could easily start their collaboration, both musicians mention their inspirational connection to the iconic jazz legend Chick Corea. At the turn of the millennium, Cohen played in Corea’s bands Origin (album Change, 1999 and Blue Note Club concert recordings) and New Trio (album Past, Present & Futures, 2001). Makoto formed a piano duo with his guru Chick in 2016. Their interplay is recorded on the concert double album called Resonance (2021).

Avishai Cohen (*20 April 1970, Kibbutz Kabri, Israel) presents most of his bands and projects in our country regularly. It is a pleasure to watch the transition of his music from instrumental compositions to vocal ones and back, world jazz to classical moods and from intimate small ensemble collaborations to performances with symphony orchestra. He has a gift to be never-tiring, no matter how often he returns.

He found his way to the forefront of the jazz world during his time in New York, when he graduated from the New School Of Music to play with Danilo Perez, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Seamus Blake and especially the above mentioned Chick Corea. Along with gaining sideman experience, he was building a solo career. With his first album Adam (1997, co-produced and released on Chick Corea’s label), he impressed with his natural blending of Middle Eastern elements, jazz idioms and classical practices. Today he has two dozen albums to his credit, the most recent one is Iroko (2023), which was recorded in duo with percussionist Abraham “Abe” Rodriguez, Jr.

Makoto Ozone (b. March 25, 1961, Kobe, Japan) began studying the organ when he was only two years old. By the time he was seven, he was already considered an accomplished improviser. At the age of twelve, under the influence of Oscar Peterson’s recordings, he began to play the piano. In 1980 he moved temporarily to the USA and entered Berklee College Of Music. He soon caught the attention of Gary Burton, who invited the talented young musician to join his band. With Burton, Ozone recorded two albums for ECM (Real Life Hits, 1984 and Whiz Kids, 1986). In 1995 and 2004, Burton and Ozone’s paths were reunited on Face To Face and Generations (which also featured the then only 16-year-old Julian Lage).

In addition to Burton and Corea, the Japanese pianist has performed or recorded with Branford Marsalis, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Paquito D’Rivera, Arturo Sandoval, Jeff “Taino” Watts and many others. He recorded his eponymous profile debut in 1981, although the record didn’t make it to the record labels until three years later. He has released forty albums as a bandleader or co-bandleader. In Japan, he founded and leads the big band called the No Name Horses. In addition to jazz, he has interpreted works by Mozart, Rachmaninoff and Bernstein, including performances with symphony orchestras.

The Amity Duet concert will take place as part of the Jazz Meets World series.