Tal Cohen

Tal Cohen’s unique piano style owes its roots to the Jewish folk songs and classical music he played in his formative years growing up in Israel.

After moving to Perth at the age of 16, Tal received a music scholarship at Churchlands Senior High School. Upon graduating, he continued his music studies at the prestigious Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, where he completed a bachelor degree, honours and masters in jazz performance.

Tal began performing nationally in 2010 with his involvement in the successful Australian tour of the Jamie Oehlers Quartet, which included shows at Sydney’s 505 and Melbourne’s Bennett’s Lane and Uptown jazz clubs. In the same year he also performed with New York saxophonist, George Garzone.

In July 2011, Tal performed at the Melbourne Jazz Festival in the “Jamie Oehlers Quartet” which featured Australia’s Jamie Oehlers on saxophone as well as highly acclaimed New York drummer Ari Hoenig, and Sam Anning on bass. The group then went on to record the album “Smoke and Mirrors” after which the group toured around Australia in August 2012. Tal has also had the honour of playing with iconic modern jazz bassist, Bob Hurst in Melbourne and Perth shows in June 2012, alongside Jamie Oehlers and drummer, Jacob Evans.

“Yellow Sticker”, Tal’s first album as a leader, was released in December 2011. Consisting largely of original tunes, it showcases some of Perth’s finest musicians with Jamie Oehlers on saxophone, Chris Tarr on drums and Pete Jeavons on bass. The album enjoyed an enthusiastic reception from local audiences and the Australian newspaper gave it an impressive 4-star review. The album has already had extensive radio airplay in Australia and on radio stations around Los Angeles and was also featured in full length on Israeli radio station, Reshet Bet in April 2012. To promote the album, Tal teamed up with Oehlers again and in October 2012 the duo played shows in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney, joined by highly acclaimed musicians in each city to complete the quartet.

In May 2013 Tal performed a number of shows with world-renowned saxophonist Joe Lovano at the inaugural Perth International Jazz Festival, including a sold-out performance at the Perth Concert Hall to a 1000-large audience. Tal was also honoured to present a set of his original music at this highly successful jazz festival. In September 2013, Tal was chosen to be one of 10 semi-finalists in the Wangaratta Jazz Festival’s 2013 piano competition- Australia’s most renowned and fierce jazz competition.

Currently, Tal is attending the University of Miami in the United States, where he received a full scholarship and teaching assistantship to complete his Masters degree under the mentorship of Martin Bejerano. During his time in the states he has had the opportunity to play with drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts, and West Coast-based trumpeter John Daversa.

One of the highlights of Tal’s career occurred in March 2014 when he received a call from Grammy Award-winning trumpeter and composer Terence Blanchard to play a show with his Quintet at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles. Blanchard also invited him to perform with the “Terence Blanchard Quintet” at the 2014 New Orleans Jazz Festival.

Most recently, Tal appeared at the 2014 Perth Jazz Festival alongside acclaimed New York saxophonist Greg Osby.



Quotes:

“Tal Cohen is one of the brightest stars playing the piano to come along in a long time and has the promise of being at the top of the curve changing our minds about music “- Terence Blanchard

“Pianist Tal Cohen possesses an awareness and exceptional sense of musicianship that belies any expectations of what is possible to play in a moment. He embodies a true purity of spirit that is the very definition of improvised music”. – Greg Osby

“One of the best young jazz talents in Australia” -Jamie Oehlers.

“Tal Cohen is a fine young jazz pianist. He has a great technique and a real talent for improvising. He is well on his way to making an esteemed contribution to Australian and international contemporary jazz piano.“ -Sean Wayland

“Tal is a very talented and disciplined piano improviser. He is a special talent that needs to be heard… check him out.”- George Garzone

“…two standards are included: a luscious interpretation of the ballad Everything Happens to Me and Tadd Dameron’s On a Misty Night, where Cohen plays a marvellously innovative lengthy solo of romantic introspection, swinging sequences and skillful chordal construction. An impressive debut for an outstanding pianist” – John Macbeath (The Australian Newspaper)

“Tal Cohen is among the best of a very few young inspired pianist I’ve encountered in my travels… We played together at the first annual Perth Jazz Festival 2013…, Tal’s playing is full of passion, focus and creativity… He was a joy to share the stage with… “-Joe Lovano

“Tal Cohen is a very talented young pianist with a very bright future.”- Aaron Goldberg