Not to be confused with Avishai Cohen (trumpet), the Israeli trumpeter. Avishai Cohen the bassist was born in Israel in 1970 and moved to New York in the mid-1990s, where he built his reputation through years of sideman work before establishing himself as a leader. His most significant early break came through Chick Corea, who hired him for the Origin sextet and the New Trio — work that put him in front of serious jazz audiences and gave him room to develop his voice in demanding company.

Cohen plays bass as a melodic instrument first. He's drawn to Latin rhythms, Middle Eastern scales, and Brazilian grooves, which come through consistently across his recordings without ever feeling like affectations — they're part of how he hears music. His recordings on the Stretch and Concord labels through the early 2000s, including Adama, Lyla, and Continuo, built a devoted following that extends well beyond the usual jazz audience.

He composes most of his own material and often sings on his records, which is unusual for a bassist and works better than it has any right to. His voice has a directness that matches his playing — nothing ornamental, everything in service of the song. That combination of bass leadership, composition, and vocals gives his concerts a cohesive quality that many jazz performances lack.

If you're starting out with him, Continuo or Seven Seas are good entry points — they show his range without being difficult. Adama is where he first found his sound as a leader and remains a strong introduction to what makes him distinct.