Bio — Emmet Cohen

Download Full Bio

Emmet Cohen is a multifaceted American jazz pianist, composer, and bandleader at the vanguard of his generation’s advancement of the music and its related arts. Widely recognized for his virtuosity, deep swing, and commitment to intergenerational continuity, Cohen has emerged as a central figure in contemporary jazz—honoring its lineage while actively shaping its future.

A recognized prodigy, Cohen began Suzuki-method piano instruction at age three and quickly developed a musical voice marked by clarity, elegance, and intensity. His artistry has drawn praise across the jazz world; All About Jazz observed that “[Cohen is] not just the poster man for contemporary jazz… but a supremely gifted and impassioned artist of the highest order,” while legendary saxophonist Benny Golson once remarked that Cohen “has a lot to say.”

At the heart of Cohen’s work is the belief that jazz is fundamentally about communication and connection—between musicians, audiences, and the generations that carry the music forward. That philosophy found a defining expression during the 2020 lockdown, when Cohen created

Live From Emmet’s Place, a weekly livestream series broadcast from his Harlem apartment. Evoking the spirit of historic rent parties while employing sophisticated modern production, the series quickly became a global gathering place for artists and listeners alike, setting a new standard for live internet jazz performance. Across platforms, Emmet’s Place has garnered over 100 million views.

What began as an intimate weekly broadcast has since evolved into a far-reaching creative platform. Live From Emmet’s Place now continues from Power Station NYC, expanding its scope while maintaining the immediacy and communal spirit that defined its origins. The series has grown into an ongoing cultural ecosystem—one that reflects Cohen’s vision of jazz as a living, participatory art form.

Through Emmet’s Place, Cohen has collaborated with hundreds of musicians spanning generations and styles, including Christian McBride, Joshua Redman, Samara Joy, and many of the most important and genre-defining voices in jazz today. Central to the project is a commitment to fostering young talent and advancing the next generation of jazz artists—placing emerging musicians on the bandstand alongside masters and creating space for mentorship, discovery, and artistic growth.

Cohen’s dedication to lineage is further embodied in his ongoing Masters Legacy Series, a landmark collection of recordings, live performances, and interviews honoring legendary jazz musicians. Serving as both producer and pianist, Cohen has collaborated with icons including Jimmy Cobb, Ron Carter, Benny Golson, Tootie Heath, George Coleman, and Houston Person. The series functions as a living dialogue across generations, preserving jazz’s oral tradition while actively extending it into the present.

“When Cohen is in full flight, with Poole slamming the kit around the room behind him, he reminds me of Ahmad Jamal: not the genteel Jamal you hear on record, but the wall-banging, holy-shit Jamal I saw in concert a few years ago, who rolled across the keyboard like a thunderstorm.” – Phil Freeman, Stereogum

Download Short Bio

A Mack Avenue recording artist, Cohen’s releases include Future Stride (2021), Uptown in Orbit (2022), Vibe Provider (2024), and Universal Truth (2026). These recordings trace a distinctive artistic arc—combining stride, swing, bebop, and modern jazz to create a unique and deeply personal aesthetic. The release of Universal Truth coincides with the launch of a year-long quintet tour celebrating the centennial birthdays of Miles Davis and John Coltrane.

Cohen has performed in over 40 countries and appeared at many of the world’s most respected venues and festivals, including the Village Vanguard, Birdland, Carnegie Hall, the Newport Jazz Festival, and the Monterey Jazz Festival. For many years, he served as Hammond B-3 organist in-residence at Harlem’s SMOKE Jazz Club. He has also participated in International Jazz Day celebrations led by Herbie Hancock, a worldwide broadcast underscoring Cohen’s global presence within the art form.

Beyond performance, Cohen plays an active role in shaping the broader jazz ecosystem. He serves as host of The Jazz Cruise and is a member of its programming team, and he has been chosen as Artistic Partner of the 2027 American Piano Awards—significant roles that reflect his ongoing investment in artistic leadership and the long-term vitality of the music.

Cohen’s honors include winning the 2019 American Piano Awards and being named DownBeat Readers Poll Pianist of the Year (2025). In 2023, he was honored by the Jazz Journalists Association with two awards: Pianist of the Year and Livestream Producer of the Year. He holds a Master’s degree from the Manhattan School of Music and completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music.