Some musicians perform jazz; others invite audiences inside it, making them part of the conversation. Pianist and composer Emmet Cohen is an enthusiastic contributor to the latter. From hosting his own weekly podcast inspired by rent parties, Live from Emmet’s Place, to collaborating with critically-acclaimed jazz artists like Christian McBride and Joshua Redman, Cohen endeavors to make room for all voices in his music. Fresh off his Jazz Cruise, Cohen took some time to talk about the healing power of music and what to expect at his upcoming Miles & Coltrane at 100 show at The Lincoln Center on March 18, 2026.
From the time he was young, Emmet Cohen was drawn to jazz. Despite his appreciation for all music, the dynamic and ephemeral nature of jazz captivated him—igniting a passion that reshaped how he saw himself and his place in the world. A pivotal moment came during a visit to New York’s Jazz Standard club to hear pianist Monty Alexander when he was about 13 or 14 years old.
“I remember loving the feeling of his music, the joy, the flexibility in his swing—just everything about it resonated with me at that young age. I went up to him after and there was a moment where I asked him ‘Do you use the Lydian mode when you’re playing,’ and he said, ‘Emmet, mon, I’ve no idea what the Lydian mode is. I just play from my heart.’ It’s a moment I’ve never forgotten […] a musician you look up to giving you the ultimate life advice.”
Besides Monty, Cohen credits many artists, past and present, with shaping his musical journey. From jazz legends to friends making waves in today’s scene, he considers himself fortunate to be inspired by and surrounded by extraordinary musicians. Included in his list are mentor Shelly Berg from his time at the University of Miami, along with icons like Fats Waller and James P. Johnson and contemporary peers including Veronica Swift, Patrick Bartley, Kyle Poole and Russell Hall.
Few musical partnerships reshaped the course of modern music as profoundly as Miles Davis and John Coltrane. The two legends—whose 100th anniversaries arrive this year—pushed jazz into new artistic territory, leaving a legacy Cohen believes deserves celebration. “Centennials,” he says, are “a big deal in jazz. Whenever someone would’ve been 100 years old, it deserves some special recognition.”
Honoring artists who shaped the course of jazz history is no small task. Though Davis and Coltrane famously, and at times tumultuously, played together, each forged a distinct musical legacy that reached far beyond the genre itself. “There’s so many ways and directions we could take the music for this show, and I think within all of that vastness, to try and be yourselves and celebrate one’s own artistry is the mission when doing a celebration of this magnitude.”
The program reflects that balance, blending Cohen’s original compositions—tributes that also explore his own creative voice—with beloved standards audiences will recognize, including “My Favorite Things.” Joining Cohen on stage are trumpeter Jeremy Pelt, saxophonist Trivon Pennicott, bassist Reuben Rogers and drummer Joe Farnsworth, forming an all-star quintet built for musical conversation and improvisation.
Cohen believes jazz is best experienced live, with an open mind and open heart. He invites concertgoers to notice the individual personalities on stage and to try to “understand what makes each of them special, what they have to offer, and how they come together in the group […] to create something that’s greater than the individuals.”
Each performance is a chance for the audience to “disconnect from everything else in the world and all feel some version of the same thing in the room. It’s a form of meditation and one of the best ways that I know how to be present and appreciate this moment that we do have together.” For Cohen, jazz has a remarkable ability to heal and bring people together. The joy released through creating in the moment—and the shared experience of listening—breaks down barriers and holds the power to make the world a better place.
When asked why someone should attend this performance, Cohen said, “This show will be a celebration of not only Miles Davis and John Coltrane, but of life and joy and spirituality in its many forms and we hope you’ll come share the evening with us and celebrate all the things we have to be grateful for in this world.”