Avishai Cohen
Masterclass Artist
Avishai Cohen is a celebrated double bassist, composer, singer, and arranger from Israel. His illustrious career has seen him perform and record with world-renowned jazz and Latin artists, including Chick Corea, Danilo Pérez, Brad Mehldau, Claudia Acuña, Joshua Redman, Roy Hargrove, and many more. He has been called a “jazz visionary of global proportions” by DownBeat and was declared one of the 100 Most Influential Bass Players of the 20th Century by Bass Player Magazine.
Growing up in Israel and St. Louis, at age 22, Avishai Cohen moved to New York City in 1992. As a student at The New School, he studied alongside artists such as Brad Mehldau before performing and recording with pianist Danilo Pérez’s Trio. In 1997, Cohen joined Chick Corea’s “New Trio” and co-founded Corea’s ensemble “Origin," where he was an integral part of Chick’s music for over six years. Throughout his varied career, Avishai Cohen has also recorded and performed with artists including Herbie Hancock, Alicia Keys, Gary Barlow, Seamus Blake, and Kurt Rosenwinkel, as well as performing his own music to audiences worldwide.
As a bandleader, Avishai Cohen has released over 20 albums that effortlessly explore and fuse genres, including jazz, rock, pop, Latin, and funk. He received critical acclaim for recordings, such as his debut Adama (1998), Colors (2000), and Aurora (2009). Cohen’s 2008 landmark album Gently Disturbed is considered a modern classic that redefined the concept of the jazz trio for its generation. Released under his label Razdaz Recordz, it features pianist Shai Maestro and drummer Mark Guiliana.
Avishai Cohen's more recent albums include the 2019 release Arvoles, a stripped-down trio setting featuring drummer Noam David and pianist Elchin Shirinov and 2021’s Two Roses featuring the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra conducted by Alexander Hanson. His most recent release, Shifting Sands (2022), saw Cohen return to his beloved trio format, joined again by pianist Elchin Shirinov and newcomer drummer Roni Kaspi, to great critical acclaim. The pure musicianship and astounding influence of his decades-long career cannot be understated, as he continues to play with the boundaries of genre-fusing sound.
““… one of the most gifted bassists of his generation is finding his own voice as a composer””
““Teaming with energy, original ideas and virtuosic soloing by the bassist composer, “Gently Disturbed,” is another reason to consider Cohen among the elite bassists on the scene today.””
Hear Avishai Cohen Play
The making of The Avishai Cohen Masterclass
The sessions were filmed at the stunning Studios Saint Germain in Paris, France.
Photos © Discover Double Bass 2023.
The Avishai Cohen Masterclass
The Avishai Cohen Masterclass is an in-depth video interview hosted by DDB Founder, Geoff Chalmers. Over two and half hours of discussion, they unpack the music and double bass techniques of this legendary bassist, composer and bandleader. The Masterclass covers a wide range of topics, including what Avishai learnt as a member of The Chick Corea New Trio and as co-founder of Corea's ensemble, Origin, and his time performing and recording with other renowned artists. In addition, they discuss Avishai Cohen's approach to double bass technique, improvisation, playing in a piano trio, phrasing, bass practice, rhythm, equipment, and much more! If you are a double bassist who wants to learn about this legendary artist's unique musical vision and signature double bass techniques, you will love this!