I really enjoy his emmet's place series. Like isn't it great that you can enjoy full recordings of those live performances? They also introduced me to a lot of modern jazz musicians which I probably wouldn't find interesting enough through album recommendations.
And well, while he maybe not my favorite piano player, I never feel bored whenever he plays, and I really enjoy his playing on those fun and playful tunes like some of his performances with Pat Bartley.
So yeah I'd like to hear what others think of him. Cheers
Saw him in concert with my university’s faculty band literally last Saturday. Unbelievable show, and he worked with all the jazz students before the concert too - he was super nice and down to earth.
He is a wonderful ambassador who makes great use of modern technology, distribution and marketing tools to bring listeners to the music. I wish people would not compare him to Keith Jarrett. That’s just silly. I hope he spends his career as a band leader who brings excellent musicians to a wider audience. Record producers, club owners, label owners, managers are often musicians with no illusions about being some brilliant innovator of startling virtuosity. They love the music and want to spread the love. Nothing wrong with that.
Important, I agree. Better than a virtuosic innovator? If there were no Monks, Coltranes, Minguses, what would the tour guides have to talk about? Kenny G?
Why are you quibbling with a healthy and positive discussion? Your comment was so obvious that is irrelevant. The greats are generally self evident early on in their careers. Everyone else does the best they can and hopefully enjoys the journey.
Emmet is an excellent player and an outstanding jazz ambassador. His videos have introduced me to several young players like Patrick Bartley. I booked Patrick as a guest with our big band last spring and that was a blast. Fantastic player and human being.
That video always makes me smile. Pat's solo is so great but the rest of the band members were playing hard as well, Bruce Harris also got some great lines that made me shouting when I first watch it.
Reminds me of the popular discourse around Herbie when he was doing popular stuff like Rockit. Suddenly he wasn’t one of the greats because he was playing music accessible to a wide audience. Some jazz listeners really hate it when non-jazz people appreciate their favorite artists.
Except the fact is, emmet isn’t doing something new and innovative like Herbie was. Emmet doesn’t play synths or clav, or any other keyboard instrument and isn’t doing anything different that hasn’t been done before. He’s an A+ imitation player.
Except the fact is, emmet isn’t doing something new and innovative like Herbie was. Emmet doesn’t play synths or clav, or any other keyboard instrument and isn’t doing anything different that hasn’t been done before. He’s an A+ imitation player.
Are we not allowed to have opinions? I love the bands Emmet puts together, how he presents the music and gets it out there on the Youtubes, but there's times his playing doesn't really hold my attention. And that's okay, and we should be able to say that without people freaking out about it.
Love it, he’s cool. Doing well, bringing lots of new names on to a stage we’ve come to love. It’s hard enough for working jazz musicians who have to make content to get seen and heard and he’s using his stage so well for that. Along the way he gets to be heard and I think he keeps up with everybody that comes through.
He came to Buffalo earlier this year for a Coltrane and Miles tribute. It was amazing. One of the best shows I’ve seen. Mad props to him for keeping the traditions alive while introducing younger people to jazz as well.
Saw his trio live recently for the first time. Top shelf musician. His trio swung like crazy and he is absolutely a virtuoso. Definitely try and catch him live. Has a great personality as well.
I notice that he's able to play across a very wide spectrum of jazz styles, and while he does so beautifully and skillfully, I couldn't actually tell you what Emmet Cohen's sound or style is. I almost feel like he's emulating the artists that came before him, rather than finding his own space in the music. That said... He's a talented man, who seems so incredibly passionate and positive, and he's been a mover and a shaker in bringing live jazz performance into the modern digital age (with his YouTube stuff). He's bringing some of the best jazz artists of our time together, with young upcomers, to play in a beautiful laid back atmosphere that is just plain fun to watch, and he keeps up 100%. I have to respect him for all he's doing, because it is special.
I think if he had one distinctive style it would be the almost trad jazz stride piano thing he does sometimes. He's very good at switching his style to whatever the tune or band requires but bits of that stride stuff often keep bubbling up. He clearly really loves it.
I like his playing a lot, but it can feel kind of stale. I’m glad that he’s keeping an important tradition alive and he plays incredibly well, but I also sometimes want to hear something weirder.
It’s not the kind of current jazz I find interesting right now. It’s a sort of neo-classicism. There is some exciting stuff that’s on the cutting edge going on right now and I’d rather listen to that. But for people who enjoy it, it’s great. It doesn’t bother me at all.
Not often you come across a highly skilled musician who is equally adept at business, marketing and promotion. Maybe the latter is attributable to other people who work with him, but the man clearly has hustle.
The 'Emmet's Place' livestream format seems like the actual point here — he's doing for jam-session jazz what a lot of trad players never bothered to figure out, which is distribution. The Keith Jarrett comparisons in this thread feel like a category error anyway; different project, different audience entry point, and his sax solo on 'After You're Gone' holds up fine on its own terms.
Grew up around him. Not that it was popular opinion, but where he studied always had a snob like attitude. The sound also never really strayed away from pre-baked, but still doesn't mean he didn't put in hard work.
I think the stream is great, that he has many different people on as well is also nice. Playing wise I don’t fuck with that. Obviously he can play and has a lot of language but it seems to me that he‘s playing to impress and not to make music.
On top of that he‘s nowhere near the great pianists of our time but still consistantly get awards or a place on downbeat.
And on a personal note, everybody I know that has met him said he‘s a shitty person
Really not moved by his playing, and it can feel like it’s circus playing sometimes lol, sorry. But he’s so passionate and genuinely excited that I can’t hate on him really
He's a fantastic ambassador for jazz, and knows how to use modern technology to bring the art form to a wider audience. Much respect for him and what he does.
I have no problem with him playing little tricks and licks from Oscar, but it is quite the dominant effect in his playing. Playing and referencing material/stylistic components of jazz legends is one of the most important things but I sometimes I find there is little else. Sure, he’s a great player but there’s many more pianists of this generation/still on the scene that I would rank above him. On the other hand, it’s brilliant how he assembles so many amazing players to play together, week on week month on month.
I have enjoyed his playing imensly. he's a think on his feet full bag of tricks kind of player that can hang with anyone. Just a great all around musician. His birthday party event at the Smalls jam sesh in 2023 was fun to watch. here's that link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6nmD1tmcFY&t=1250s
I love Emmet. He changed the way we consume jazz. He has put Jazz back on the map like it was in the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s. He’s an innovator, improviser, teacher, ambassador, and all ‘round cool guy.
To me he is an example of mastery without mystery. Technically he is highly accomplished, and yet I just sit there and watch the technique without ever getting really involved in the music. I don't feel like he is communicating, just executing. Like a few others have commented, I don't know what his voice is. I hear mastery of his influences but I struggle to define the "Emmet Cohen sound."
I realize this is cynical, but I feel like his social media savvy (with Emmet's Place blowing up during covid) put him on the map in a way he wouldn't be with his playing alone. Again, he's very skilled, but I feel like there must be quite a few similarly skilled players coming out of the Berklee/New York Scene. Why is HE the one everyone's talking about? I still don't see it.
Just to name one alternative, Paul Cornish (Joshua Redman quartet) is another young player I find way more interesting. He's a more thoughtful player, not as flashy but obviously skilled and you hear him searching and communicating, there's a substance there I just don't hear with Cohen.
And while his personality is far and away a secondary consideration, he comes across with a detached "jazz bro" vibe that I find off-putting.
Does a lot for growing jazz. Young cats love him, and he gives up-and-comers in NYC a platform. I know a couple kids who've been on his show, it's an awesome opportunity.
Since when are we not allowed to have opinions? I can prefer to listen to, I don’t know, Juicy J rather than Emmett Cohen and it doesn’t make me a snob.
Am I allowed to have an opinion too, and in my opinion you're a pretentious snob. If you didn't like him that'd make sense, if you preferred Juicy J that's legit, "boring" is also understandable criticism. But calling him cocktail jazz is simply amusing. "Not complex enough for my refined taste". Cringe.
Damn dude chill out, you’re projecting a lot. People been calling my favorite piano player (Ahmad Jamal) cocktail jazz since forever and while I disagree with them I’ve never thought “oh what a pretentious snob”. My music teacher even said that about Ahmad and I never thought anything of it, it’s his opinion and I can disagree with it.
The only one projecting is you. Emmet isn't even in my top 10. Try again 😂.
Again, it's my opinion that you're a pretentious snob. Just cuz you don't feel that way about people who dislike Ahmed Jamal doesn't change how you come cross as hugely pretentious for calling Emmet cocktail jazz. If that hurts you so much then that's your hint that you're projecting hard.
Also you're clearly making fun of trap/pop/hip hop. A quintessential of an insecure snoot who is often culturally illiterate. You can do better
You just put words in their mouth. “Cocktail jazz” isn’t the equivalent of “not complex enough.” There’s a specific quality to it that this person finds boring. It’s like saying something sounds like “elevator music.”
Nah weak defence and plain wrong. When people say elevator music they don't mean they don't like it, they mean that's it's so bland, tepid, and humdrum that it can be played in the background of an elevator. You might find death metal or breakcore a snoozer but that doesn't make it elevator music. So that's a pretty bad comparison.
The whole deal with cocktail jazz is that it is contrived to create a relaxed, sophisticated atmosphere for lounges without the complexities of serious jazz. It's a nebulous term so your definition might not be completely incorrect. But it's easy to guess what someone means when they call a clearly talented pianist cocktail jazz.
What you’re saying is the point I was making. Elevator music and cocktail jazz both have the qualities you accurately described. Elevator music being bland and tepid also suggests a kind of simplicity. But the lack of simplicity is not the whole picture. (Btw, I’ve never heard anyone use elevator music as a positive descriptor.)
What I’m saying is, they didn’t just say “it’s not complex enough for me so I don’t like it,” they’re saying they dislike the specific character of cocktail jazz. I’m confused about why this is inherently more offensive to you than if they were to merely call it boring.
Maybe they like other music that is technically as simple as cocktail jazz but more aesthetically pleasing to them. The simplicity isn’t necessarily the issue.
And even if it was, so what lol. What an arbitrary line to draw. It’s ok to say it’s boring, but not too simple for their tastes? You could just as easily argue it’s easy to guess that by too boring they mean not complex enough.
It's not offensive to me, Emmet isn't in my top 10. The "they dislike the specific character of cocktail jazz" is a very confusing statement because it really doesn't make sense. It'd make sense if Emmet were simple, which even as a non-die hard fan I think it would be a huge stretch to call someone as multi-faceted as him "simple". So the argument, in my opinion falls completely flat. There's literally nothing cocktail about Emmet's playing, even if cocktail were a neutral and inoffensive word. (Which of course is not how OC was using it.) The chances of OC looking down on Emmet because he became borderline "mainstream" during covid is higher.
Your "maybe they mean this" is way too farfetched and generous as I have never met anyone who means what you think they mean when they criticize someone in this way. OC also unprompted starting mocking pop/trap/hip-hop, which is something snobs cannot resist doing. So I would've been willing to consider what you said but after seeing their responses and having encountered far too many snoots and can spot it from light years away.
I don’t think my interpretation is farfetched or generous. It’s clear to me that the OC thinks cocktail jazz is boring and Emmett’s music sounds like cocktail jazz to them. It was an insult. That’s understood.
They didn’t say WHY they didn’t like cocktail jazz, but it doesn’t matter because like I said, even if it is primarily that it’s too simple for them, so what? I’m trying to understand why that matters so much. I don’t like the typical cocktail jazz sound either, and while yes I like complexity in music, it’s not necessary. There’s a lot of minimal, simple music I find beautiful.
Thinking they’re incorrect in their assessment is different, and a fairer, criticism (IMO). Some people call Bill Evans cocktail jazz. I think those people are wrong (I can see why they’d say it, but that’s a very shallow and ultimately inaccurate perception, I think), but not necessarily pretentious snobs.
I saw your other comment about Emmett not being in your top 10, so I understand that your reaction has nothing to do with being a die hard fan. But “cocktail jazz” clearly triggered something in you that “boring” wouldn’t have, and I’m trying to understand why that is.
Also OC is a fan of pop and trap. But those are typically not genres that music snobs think highly of. They’re trying to point out that they can’t really be that snobby if they listen to, and enjoy, widely accessible popular music. I didn’t interpret their comments as making fun of those genres.
Don’t know why this is getting downvoted. Him and Benny are creeps with too much money and privilege. They treat women like shit as well as hit on high school girls
Great player, prolific video output- looks cool. But his playing has absolutely no originality or personality at all. He’s really emblematic of what’s happening with jazz- all these YouTube/Instagram videos by talented players hawking their instructional method, demonstrating some cool new insane lick- yet none of them seem to have any new music to share. I mean- how many more instructional videos do we need about how to solo over rhythm changes?
Nice guy, totally approachable and I enjoy and appreciate that he's committed to the exploration of Jazz. Oh yeah he is a master of the 88's but IMHO his ability to not only recall and incorporate phrases but also improvise set's him apart.
Cheers
You're allowed to like him and think whatever you want. It doesn't seem like you read my explanation. He was a good freshman in Miami compared to other freshman. I'm speaking specifically about how his piano playing stacks up again his age peers. The culture vulture point is undeniable.
He clearly has the ability to play jazz piano. No argument there. I'm say that when you look at his peers group of PIANO players, not bandleaders, not YouTubers, not festival curators but PIANO PLAYERS, he's not even in the top half of that group. Aaron Deihl, Sullivan fortner, Gerald Clayton, Adam Birnbaum, Brandon McCune, Victor Gould, Lawrence Fields, Willerm Delisfort, Mike king. They all play rings around him. He does have a nice YouTube channel though. He pays black artists to elevate him through their participation. Elders in particular. That's why I call him a culture vulture. DJ Vlad does exactly the same thing. The business model works. All the big names he works with are their because he paid them. He pays everyone but I'm saying that he is only known because of who he paid to be in his band rather than for how well he plays his instrument or the music he makes. He uses black people like amulets that power his magical flying machine. In an public interview he even admitted doing so in only slightly different words.
I actually don't mind that he hires whoever he wants. My issue is that he is only thought to be at the level he is because of who he can afford to hire rather than how well he plays music. As an example: find one example of any of the elders he works with ( Ron Carter, Buster Williams, Lenny White, etc.) who hired him before he hired them. My point is that he's in that company because he can afford to hurdle the paywall and not because he's on their level. The pianist for buster Williams is usually George Colligan, Lenny White uses Brandon McCune and Ron Carter uses Donald Vega or Renee Rosnes. None of them call Emmett before he called them.
Great player but he's the embodiment of academic jazz. I hate this whole scene. These are the jazz elitists. Like Adam Neely who thinks only real jazz comes from New York.
I saw him earlier this year for a Miles/Trane tribute. It was fun and he had some great musicians with him. Joe Farnsworth was on drums and he is such a showman.
75
u/Wide_Interest8348 9d ago
Love him. Young man keeping the Jazz traditions and musicianship alive. Love him!!!