2023-2024 JAS Café Winter Series
The Little Nell | Here House – Showtimes: 7pm ($75) & 9:15pm ($55)
*Pre-Concert Listen Up for night one TLN shows ONLY! Artist Interview included with 7pm TLN show tickets*
Cafe Winter Series Pass
One (1) pass to FOUR (4) 9:15pm shows of your choice for the Cafe Winter Season. LEARN MORE HERE.
Emmet Cohen is a multifaceted American jazz pianist and composer that 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, and his playing quickly became a mature melding of musicality, technique, and concept. Downbeat observed that his “nimble touch, measured stride and warm harmonic vocabulary indicate he’s above any convoluted technical showmanship.” In the same spirit, Cohen himself has noted that playing jazz is “about communicating the deepest levels of humanity and individuality; it’s essentially about connections,” both among musicians and with audiences. He leads his namesake ensemble, the “Emmet Cohen Trio,” is a vibrant solo performer, and is in constant demand as a sideman. Possessing a fluid technique, an innovative tonal palette, and an extensive repertoire, Cohen plays with the command of a seasoned veteran and the passion of an artist fully devoted to his medium.
Emmet Cohen is committed to the intergenerational transfer of artistic knowledge, history, and traditions. His signature professional undertaking is the “Masters Legacy Series,” a celebratory set of recordings and interviews honoring legendary jazz musicians. He serves as both producer and pianist for each album in the series. The goal of this landmark, ongoing project is to provide musicians of multiple generations a forum to transfer the unwritten folklore that is America’s unique musical idiom. Cohen has observed that playing jazz “is enriched immeasurably by connecting and studying with jazz masters, forging backward to the very creation of the art form.” Volume one of the “Masters Legacy Series” features drummer Jimmy Cobb, and volume two spotlights bassist Ron Carter. Future “Masters Legacy Series” releases will include Cohen’s recordings with Benny Golson, Tootie Heath, and George Coleman.
Besides leading the “Emmet Cohen Trio,” Cohen has appeared regularly with Ron Carter, Benny Golson, Jimmy Cobb, George Coleman, Jimmy Heath, Tootie Heath, Houston Person, Kurt Elling, Billy Hart, and Brian Lynch, among others. Cohen is also a member of Christian McBride’s trio “Tip City,” the “Herlin Riley Quartet,” and the “Ali Jackson Trio,” and serves as pianist and music director for jazz vocalist and television personality Lea DeLaria.
Gabrielle Cavassa is an American vocalist-composer of Italian descent who is garnering attention for her distinctive voice and intimate expression. She was crowned winner of the International Sarah Vaughan Jazz Vocal Competition in 2021 after the independent release of her critically acclaimed debut album. Cavassa is featured on saxophonist Joshua Redman’s inaugural album with Blue Note Records, ‘where are we’, to be released September 2023.
Cavassa’s relationship with music began with an early love for records. She remembers “obsessively listening” to albums at an early age and later amassed a record collection through which she began her education in music. Born and raised in Escondido, California, Cavassa moved to San Francisco to attend San Francisco State University in 2012. There, she began her career as a vocalist, citing the infamous jazz spot Club Deluxe as having a significant influence on her development. In 2017, Cavassa moved to New Orleans where she would record her first record with co-producer Jamison Ross.
Cavassa’s expression reflects a wide range of influences, including the likes of Billie Holiday, Phyllis Hyman, Ornella Vanoni, and Frank Ocean. Her songwriting confronts challenging topics with a raw and honest approach, as though she’s sharing diary entries with the world.
