Avishai Cohen's New York Division, Barbican Hall

Born in Tel Aviv in 1970, Avishai Cohen had a musical childhood, excelling at piano and bass guitar in his early years. But it was when, as a teenager, he began to study double bass that he found his calling.
Moving to New York, he struggled to survive while immersing himself in the jazz scene. Then, after a small gig, fusion legend Chris Corea phoned, and rewarded him with a record contract and a role in his band. He’s since played with Herbie Hancock, Bobby McFerrin and many others, all the while carving out a distinctive career on his own.

Now, Cohen is one of the most renowned jazz bassists in the world. He’s also a fine vocalist, who draws upon Latino and Hebrew influences to craft a distinct folk-jazz fusion. This July, he will perform at the Barbican Centre with both his regular trio - pianist Nitai Hershkovits and drummer Daniel Dor – and three New York scene stalwarts, guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel, trumpeter Diego Urcola and trombonist Steve Davis.
As a live artist, he has a reputation for vital, cathartic performances, creating a frenzy of yiddish klezmer-inspired rhythms; with this sextet, that frenzy might well be magnified.