Avishai Cohen

The Profile

Avishai Cohen is an Israeli jazz bassist, composer and singer known for virtuosic double bass work, genre-blending trios, and collaborations launched from New York in the 1990s, notably with Chick Corea. His music fuses jazz with Middle Eastern, classical and Latin elements.

From Israel to New York, he performed with Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Bobby McFerrin, and Roy Hargrove. Down Beat called him an “authentic jazz visionary.” He leads acclaimed trios (e.g., Gently Disturbed) and sings on the album 1970. He is from Kabri, Israel.

DeBaser’s reviews praise Avishai Cohen’s inventive trio work on Gently Disturbed and examine his vocal, radio-friendly shift on 1970. The first lauds his rhythmic sophistication, Mediterranean colors, and precision. The second notes a well-produced, sung set mixing originals and covers with pop, funk, Latin, and Middle Eastern touches. Overall reception is positive, with some surprise at the pop direction.