Al Cohn


Al Cohn was an American jazz saxophonist, arranger and composer. He came to prominence in the band of clarinetist Woody Herman and was known for his longtime musical partnership with fellow saxophonist Zoot Sims.

Biography

Alvin Gilbert Cohn was born in Brooklyn, New York.
In addition to his work as a jazz tenor saxophonist, Cohn was widely respected as an arranger. His work included the Broadway productions of Raisin' and Sophisticated Ladies, and his arrangements of his own compositions were recorded by big bands led by Maynard Ferguson, Gerry Mulligan, Terry Gibbs and Bob Brookmeyer. Also, Cohn did arrangements for unreleased Linda Ronstadt recordings from the 1980s.
Cohn also appeared on stage with Elvis Presley in June, 1972, as a member of the Joe Malin Orchestra at Madison Square Garden.
Al Cohn died of liver cancer in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania in 1988.
Cohn's first wife was singer Marilyn Moore. His son, Joe Cohn, is a jazz guitarist. Granddaughter Shaye Cohn, Joe's daughter, is a musician who plays cornet with her band Tuba Skinny in New Orleans and at jazz festivals in Italy, France, Australia, and elsewhere. Shaye also plays accordion, violin and piano.
Cohn was married to Flo Handy, a singer and composer, from the mid-60's until his death.

Discography

As leader/co-leader

With Manny Albam
With Mose Allison
With Trigger Alpert
With George Barnes
With Art Blakey
With Bob Brookmeyer
With Kenny Burrell
;With Buck Clayton
With Jimmy Giuffre
With Freddie Green
With Urbie Green
;With Coleman Hawkins
With Quincy Jones
With Jack Kerouac
With Jimmy Knepper
With Mundell Lowe
With the Metronome All-Stars
With Gary McFarland
With Carmen McRae
With Gerry Mulligan
With Joe Newman
With Oscar Pettiford
With Lalo Schifrin and Bob Brookmeyer
With Maynard Ferguson
With Astrud Gilberto
With Quincy Jones
With Irene Kral
With Gerry Mulligan
With Mark Murphy
With Joe Newman
With Herb Pomeroy