Selected Discography
Winter Sun
The latest recording from Mike Cohen is out!
Released in October of 2021, “Winter Sun” is a record that was inspired by Cohen’s Leukemia diagnosis at age 13. Consisting of original compositions by Cohen and 1 cover, although not originally planned this way, the record was inspired by the memories of his 2 years going through chemotherapy hoping to stay in remission. After decades of not thinking about it, as he talked about that time, it also became part of the music.
Featuring Brian Gelfand-piano, Danny Weller-bass and Ronen Itzik-drums, this is a record that needs to be heard by jazz fans far and wide.
Mike Cohen releases Open Window
Open Window is the most personal album Mike Cohen has made to-date. This album showcases his enormous talent as musician, bandleader and composer.
The quintet assembled to record his new disc, Open Window, are some of the finest jazz musicians playing in New York City today. Mike has said that it was an honor to have Pete Brendler, Rich Huntley, Soren Moller and Amanda Monaco playing on this disc. Their high-level talent allowed his music to have the complete artistic expression he envisioned.
While firmly entrenched in the klezmer tradition, the Kleztraphobix draw on the diverse musical experiences of their band members to create a fresh, vibrant expression of the art of klezmer.
As clarinetist and bandleader Mike is also devoted to the Kleztraphobix. Their latest album, “Another Bottle of Vodka” has been described as defining an exciting driving sound that makes New York the place to listen to klezmer.” (klezmershack)
A great love for the rich repertoire of Eastern European klezmer informs their music while their eclectic experiences propel them expand their musical language incorporating everything from Macedonian folk songs to free improvisation.
Mike Cohen traveled to the village of Putti, Uganda, a Jewish village without running water or electricity to record and produce this CD. It features the very talented choir of Putti and some wonderful guitarists as well as Cohen on flute and sax on a few tracks.
3 years after “When I wake up”, Mike traveled back to Putti on a grant to record “I Love to Sing”. Again featuring musicians and the choir from Putti, it also featured musicians from New York including Cohen on sax, flute and clarinet as well as Jim Mussen on percussion, Dave Solomon on guitar and Brian Glassman on bass.