Pianist Emmet Cohen (‪@EmmetCohen‬) performed his first in-person KNKX studio session since 2019, inaugurating the new Studio X and performing for the first live session audience since before the pandemic.
Cohen made the most of the forced isolation, he told us about his streaming video series Live at Emmet's Place and how it grew from a trio on cell phone video to a more professional set-up and a number of high-profile special guests.
For this visit to KNKX, Cohen was joined by bassist Phillip Norris and longtime collaborator Kyle Poole at the drums. The three have an uncanny sense of each other's improvisation and fired through a complex arrangement of "The Surrey with the Fringe on Top" from the musical Oklahoma and Cohen's original song "Spillin' the Tea" before settling into a gorgeous reading of the classic big band song "Li'l Darlin'" for their finale.
In a conversation with KNKX jazz host Abe Beeson, Emmet Cohen talked about emerging from pandemic closures in great demand and getting back to touring. Cohen also spoke about his connection with fans both young and old and his own musical efforts to bridge the jazz tradition with a modern attitude.
The audience for this first Studio X session were surely connected to Cohen's trio, and we're excited to share this performance with all of you - as excited as we are for a bright future of exclusive performances in our new Seattle home.
Musicians:
Emmet Cohen (‪@EmmetCohen‬) - piano
Phillip Norris (‪@philip_norris‬) - bass
Kyle Poole (@kylepoole - drums
Songs:
0:00 The Surrey with the Fringe on Top (Richard Rogers)
5:55 Spillin' the Tea (Emmet Cohen)
14:43 Li'l Darlin' (Neil Hefti)
Audio:
Brian Moynihan
Video:
Parker Miles Blohm
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