Avishai Cohen

Born in 1970 in the kibbutz of Kabri, in northern Israel, Avishai Cohen has established himself since the 1990s as a bassist, composer, singer and arranger in a register where jazz intersects Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Latin and sometimes classical influences. After training in Israel and then moving to New York at the beginning of his twenties, Avishai Cohen notably played with Danilo Pérez before joining Chick Corea, first with Origin in 1996 then with the New Trio from 1997, a central step in his career. His leader discography begins with Adama in 1998, followed by Devotion in 1999, Colors in 2000 and Unity in 2001. Over the years, Avishai Cohen develops a highly rhythmic language, based on the double bass, marked melodic cycles and regular use of singing, in Hebrew or Ladino. This approach is reflected in At Home in 2005, Continuo in 2006, Gently Disturbed in 2008, Aurora in 2009, Seven Seas in 2011, Duende with Nitai Hershkovits in 2012, Almah in 2013, From Darkness in 2015, 1970 in 2017, Arvoles in 2019, Two Roses in 2021 with the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, Shifting Sands in 2022 and Brightlight in 2024. Often in trio, but also in formats with orchestra or string quartet, Avishai Cohen moves his work between the international jazz scene and more open forms, where composition, Sephardic traditions and improvisation remain closely linked.