zoom_in Click to enlarge

Avishai Cohen

▲ ▼

description Avishai Cohen Overview

Avishai Cohen is an Israeli jazz bassist, composer, and bandleader born in 1970 in Kabri, Israel. After moving to the United States, he gained prominence in the late 1990s as a member of pianist Chick Corea's Origin and other ensembles. Cohen's work incorporates elements of Middle Eastern music, Latin rhythms, and jazz traditions, often featuring his own compositions and arrangements. He leads the Avishai Cohen Trio and has released numerous albums as a leader on labels including ECM, Stretch, and his own Razdaz Recordz, while also performing as a vocalist on some recordings.

help Avishai Cohen FAQ

Which Chick Corea groups did Avishai Cohen play in?

Cohen became a co-founder of Chick Corea's Origin ensemble after receiving a call from Corea in 1997. He also played in Corea's New Trio with drummer Jeff Ballard, including on the 2001 album Past, Present & Futures.

Which Avishai Cohen album is the best starting point for his trio sound?

Gently Disturbed from 2008 is a strong introduction to Cohen's melodic but rhythmically intricate trio writing. It features pianist Shai Maestro and drummer Mark Guiliana alongside Cohen on bass.

Does Avishai Cohen sing as well as play bass?

Yes, Cohen performs as a vocalist and has recorded songs in Hebrew, Ladino, and other languages. Sensitive Hours, released in 2008, was his first album built entirely around his singing.

Is bassist Avishai Cohen the same musician as trumpeter Avishai Cohen?

No, they are two different Israeli jazz musicians with the same name. The bassist led albums such as Adama and Gently Disturbed, while the trumpeter has recorded projects including Into the Silence and Ashes to Gold.