Composer

Pianist

Pianist Emmet Cohen began Suzuki method piano instruction at age 3. In 2011, he was a finalist in the Thelonious Monk International Piano Competition. He recently won the Cole Porter Fellowship, which is awarded every four years by the American Pianists Association. In addition to leading his own trio (with Russell Hall and Kyle Poole), Cohen is a renowned Hammond B-3 specialist and member of Christian McBride’s trio Tip City, Tootie Heath Trio and the Herlin Riley Quartet. Cohen has performed with jazz luminaries such as Ron Carter, Benny Golson, Jimmy Cobb, George Coleman, Jimmy Heath, Tootie Heath, Houston Person, Kurt Elling, Billy Hart and Brian Lynch. Cohen is the producer of the “Masters Legacy Series,” which features recordings and interviews honoring legendary jazz musicians. Since the beginning of the pandemic, he has been prolific in recording new music with a who’s-who of special guests, in his celebrated Monday night virtual series Live from Emmet’s Place.

Emmet Cohen Trio

Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center

Multifaceted American jazz pianist and composer Emmet Cohen returns to Jaqua Concert Hall Wednesday April 9th. Cohen is one of his generation's pivotal figures in music and the related arts. Downbeat praised the "nimble touch, measured stride and warm harmonic vocabulary" he employs to communicate with other musicians and audiences at what he terms "the deepest level of humanity and individuality." He is the creator of “Live from Emmet’s Place” and the "Masters Legacy Series".

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The Shedd Institute

“Cohen is not just the poster man for contemporary jazz, breathing 2020s finesse onto early twentieth century swing, he is a supremely gifted and impassioned artist of the highest order.” ALL ABOUT JAZZ

Segerstrom Center for the Arts

Multifaceted American jazz pianist and composer Emmet Cohen is one of his generation's pivotal figures in music and the related arts. Leader of the Emmet Cohen Trio and creator of the Masters Legacy Series, he is an internationally acclaimed jazz artist, a dedicated educator, the winner of the 2019 American Pianists Awards, and a finalist in the 2011 Thelonious Monk International Piano Competition. 

The Freight

A dynamic and charismatic performer, multifaceted American jazz pianist and composer Emmet Cohen is in the vanguard of his generation. His wide-ranging talents have invigorated the contemporary arts world with Downbeat observing his “nimble touch, measured stride and warm harmonic vocabulary indicate he’s above any convoluted technical showmanship.” Possessing fluid technique, an innovative tonal palette, and an extensive repertoire, Cohen plays with the command and passion of an artist fully devoted to his medium. 

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts

Leading the renowned Emmet Cohen Trio and creating the acclaimed Masters Legacy Series, Emmet Cohen is an internationally celebrated jazz pianist and composer. The trio was recently named the 2024 DownBeat Annual Critics Poll for #1 Rising Star Jazz Group. Emmet has also won the 2019 American Pianists Awards and was a finalist in the 2011 Thelonious Monk International Piano Competition.

Emelin Theatre

The American pianist, composer, bandleader and educator began playing jazz in his teens and studied at the University of Miami and the Manhattan School of Music. He has gone on to enjoy a high-ranking career both live and on disc, often in collaboration with the other members of his now famous trio. His weekly Live from Emmet’s Place video-streamed broadcasts have become keenly followed events, with more than 11 million views per session in 2022. Amongst many awards, in 2023 he was named both Pianist of the Year and Live-Stream Producer of the Year by the Jazz Journalists Association.

Wigmore Hall

Emmet Cohen has emerged as one of his generation’s pivotal figures in music and the related arts. A recognized prodigy, Cohen began Suzuki method piano instruction at age three. He quickly became a mature player, melding musicality, technique, and concept. Downbeat observed that his “nimble touch, measured stride and warm harmonic vocabulary indicate he’s above any convoluted technical showmanship.”

Dakota

Monterey Jazz Festival brings together 20 of the most accomplished high school jazz musicians from across the country to form the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra (NGJO), directed by GRAMMY-nominated pianist and composer Gerald Clayton. Established in 1971, tenure in this year's NGJO culminates in a main stage performance in September at the Monterey Jazz Festival.

Next Generation Jazz Orchestra Combo

Monterey County Fairgrounds

A true mentor who leadsby example, drummer and composer Joe Farnsworth brings his intergenerational ensemble to Dizzy’s Club. Over four nights, the award-winning artist’s Time to Swing Quintet presents a high-octane program of blistering solos, dynamic ballads, and joyful spontaneity at its highest level. Don’tmiss this special performance that features three generations of master artists.

Joe Farnsworth’s Time To Swing Quintet

Jazz At Lincoln Center

The Carnegie Hall Notables program is delighted to gather on Thursday, June 20, 2024 for a private performance from Emmet Cohen Trio in Zankel Hall, followed by a celebration at Redeye Grill. 

The 18th Annual Notable Occasion

Carnegie Hall

Winner of the 2019 American Pianists Award and finalist in the 2011 Thelonious Monk International Piano Competition, the rising young virtuoso is known widely as a member of bass great Christian McBride’s Tip City and music director with vocal phenom Veronica Swift, along with his stellar work as a bandleader.

The 32-year-old Cohen became a Suzuki method piano student at three and released his 2011 debut In the Element while still enrolled at University of Florida’s Frost School of Music. He has accumulated over 15 awards and honors over his career, and created the acclaimed Masters Legacy Series of recordings and interviews in 2016 featuring collaboration with Ron Carter, Benny Golson, Albert “Tootie” Heath, and George Coleman. Cohen has been a member of the bands led by drumming luminaries Herlin Riley and Ali Jackson and hosted the wildly popular YouTube series Live From Emmet’s Place with his trio including bassist Russell Hall and drummer Kyle Poole and a procession of special guest vocalists and instrumentalists.
Cohen has led 10 albums including his 2021’s Mack Avenue debut Future Stride featuring Marquis Hill and Melissa Aldana, and his JHL engagement includes material from his new project, Uptown in Orbit with his masterful working band.

SFJAZZ Center

Emmet Cohen’s 2022 sold-out run in the Vanderhoef Studio Theatre was nothing short of electric. So electric, in fact, that Cohen returns just one year later, this time “plugged in” to a Hammond B-3 with his virtuosic, soulful organ trio. Whatever instrument he’s playing, Cohen has a unique ability to connect with audiences through his harmonically sophisticated, joyful and open-hearted takes on great tunes. For Cohen playing jazz is “about communicating the deepest levels of humanity and individuality; it’s essentially about connections.”

Emmet Cohen Organ Trio

Vanderhoef Studio Theatre

Zachary Weg of All About Jazz says Cohen is “one of the finest piano players to emerge in decades.” A frequent headliner at Jazz at Lincoln Center, this multifaceted jazz pianist’s signature professional undertaking is the “Masters Legacy Series,” a celebratory set of recordings honoring legendary jazz musicians. His precision and fluid keyboard artistry has garnered international acclaim, including winning the 2019 American Pianists Award, and being named a finalist in the 2011 Thelonious Monk International Piano Competition. 

Logan Center

Get ready for a riveting evening of musical brilliance with the multifaceted American jazz pianist and composer, Emmet Cohen, who has been described by All About Jazz as: “Thirty years old and one of the finest piano players to emerge in decades …” With his nimble touch on the keys, and his incredibly talented trio alongside him, Cohen effortlessly weaves together intricate melodies and harmonies, taking you on a journey through the rich tapestry of jazz. Live From Emmet’s Place, a weekly livestream that he created during the pandemic, has received millions of views worldwide.

The Rosen House at Caramoor

The Boise Jazz Society is pleased to present The Emmet Cohen Trio featuring Lucy Yeghiazaryan for a special Boise State jazz education event. While primarily an educational event for students, members of the general public are invited to attend and observe. Admission is free.

Boise Jazz Society presents The Emmet Cohen Trio

Boise State University

During the 2020 lockdown, pianist and composer Emmet Cohen developed "Live from Emmet's Place," a series of weekly performances by his trio and special guests livestreamed from his New York apartment via YouTube. The wild success of the series is based in Cohen’s unique ability to build connections with audiences through his harmonically sophisticated, joyful and open-hearted takes on great tunes. That ability to connect extends to his fellow musicians and with the jazz masters that preceded him, as on collaborations with Ron Carter, Bennie Golson and Christian McBride, just to name a few. His status as a major rising star has recently been recognized in the JazzTimes readers’ poll: Cohen was listed as Artist of the Year and Best Pianist, and his trio was listed as Best Acoustic Group. 

In celebration of the centennial of John Coltrane and Miles Davis, pianist Emmet Cohen brings together an all-star trio to explore the fundamental questions that shaped their artistry: Why are we here? What are we reaching for? Where does the music take us?

Emmet Cohen: Miles and Coltrane at 100

Stanford University

Winner of the 2019 American Pianists Award and finalist in the 2011 Thelonious Monk International Piano Competition, virtuoso Emmet Cohen is among the most acclaimed pianists in jazz, known widely as a member of bass great Christian McBride’s Tip City and music director with vocal phenom Veronica Swift, along with his stellar work as a bandleader. His debut in Miner Auditorium will include his working quintet and focus on the music of Miles Davis and John Coltrane in honor of their centennials in 2026.

Emmet Cohen Quintet

Live From Emmet’s Place is the touring version of Emmet Cohen’s live-streamed series, which brought world-class jazz into homes during the pandemic. Cohen and his trio re-create the series onstage with a living room-style jam session complete with top-tier musicianship and surprise guests. Inspired by Harlem rent parties, the show invites audiences to feel as if they’re in Cohen’s New York apartment.

Composer, Pianist

Emmet Cohen

Events

Upcoming events

Apr 8, 2026

Emmet Cohen: Miles and Coltrane at 100 · Stanford Live

Apr 9, 2026

Emmet Cohen Quintet · San Francisco Jazz

May 8, 2026

Emmet Cohen's "Live From Emmet's Place" · Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts

Past events

Aug 29, 2025

Emmet Cohen Trio · Detroit Jazz Festival

Apr 9, 2025

Emmet Cohen Trio · The John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts

About

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