Article Contributed by Mike
Published on 2026-06-02
Photo: Courtesy of Mack Avenue Records
Emmet Cohen, acclaimed pianist, composer, and bandleader, has released Universal Truth, his fourth album for Mack Avenue Records. Recorded in celebration of the 2026 centennial year of Miles Davis and John Coltrane, Universal Truth honors the pianist’s forebears by carrying forward their spirit of personal and spiritual discovery in his own distinctive style.
Listen to Emmet Cohen’s Universal Truth
Widely regarded as one of the leading pianists of his generation, Emmet Cohen has built his reputation on bridging jazz’s storied lineage with a deeply communal, modern approach. From his collection of Masters Legacy Series recordings — featuring icons including Jimmy Cobb, Benny Golson, Albert “Tootie” Heath, and Houston Person — to his widely popular livestream series Live From Emmet’s Place, Cohen has consistently emphasized connection across generations and audiences. Earlier this week, Emmet celebrated the release of Universal Truth, along with the centennials of Miles Davis and John Coltrane, with a special edition of Live From Emmet’s Place.
Universal Truth features classic tunes associated with the album’s twin inspirations of Miles Davis and John Coltrane, carefully curated through Cohen’s personal connection with the repertoire. For the album’s rendition of “My Funny Valentine,” Cohen brought together bassist Ron Carter and tenor saxophonist George Coleman for a poignant reunion, more than sixty years after they performed on the Miles Davis album of the same name at Lincoln Center’s Philharmonic Hall.
The rhythm section for the album is Cohen’s trio with bassist Yasushi Nakamura and drummer Joe Farnsworth, who kick off the proceedings with a taut reduction of Davis and Bud Powell’s “Budo” from The Birth of the Cool. Carter takes over the bass duties for a brisk dash through Monk’s “Well You Needn’t,” with Jeremy Pelt contributing a blistering trumpet solo. Pelt and Carter are also featured on “Gingerbread Boy,” the classic composition by Jimmy Heath, who also would have celebrated his 100th this year. The album concludes with Coltrane’s “Blue Trane,” with the twin tenors of Coleman and Tivon Pennicott joining Pelt and the trio for a rollicking excursion through the landmark tune.
“In all my research and study into John Coltrane, one phrase always stuck out,” Cohen explains. “‘Universal Truth.’ When Trane talked about his artistry and his calling, his intention was always to seek that universal truth. I interpret that to mean his higher power, his version of God, his connection to the source that connects and calls to every living thing on Earth.”
With Universal Truth, Emmet Cohen celebrates the great discoveries of past masters by making his own search for the endless revelations contained within those simple, profound, vast universal truths.
Universal Truth Tracklisting
1. Budo
2. Well You Needn't
3. My Funny Valentine
4. Gingerbread Boy
5. I. Eternal Glimpse
6. II. Compassion
7. III. Universal Truth
8. Blue Train
Tour Dates
Jun 11: Cincinnati, OH - Caffe Vivace
Jun 12: Lakeside, OH - Hoover Auditorium
Jun 14: Boone, NC - Appalachian Theatre of the High Country
Jun 22: Livestream - Live From Emmet’s Place featuring Chris Potter
Jul 8-12: New York, NY - Smoke Jazz Club
July 25: Katonah, NY - Caramoor
Sept 5-6: Washington, DC - DC Jazz Fest
Sept 8-12: New York, NY - Birdland NYC
Sept 18-25: Botti @ Sea
Oct 9: Provo, UT - BYU
Oct 11: Berkeley, CA - Freight and Salvage
Jan 12-17: David Foster at Sea
Jan 17-24: The Jazz Cruise
Jan 24-31: Journey of Jazz Cruise
Feb 12: Boston, MA - Berklee Performance Center
Feb 19-21: Northridge, CA - Cal State Northridge
About Emmet Cohen
Emmet Cohen is widely regarded as a leading jazz pianist of his generation and a defining force in the evolution of the art form. A virtuoso musician, producer, and bandleader, he combines deep respect for jazz tradition with a singular ability to create connection, community, and momentum in the modern era. Cohen has released 12 albums as a leader and is the producer and creative force behind Live From Emmet’s Place, a landmark series comprising over 140 two-hour livestream performances featuring hundreds of musicians spanning generations and reaching more than 100 million views worldwide. A Mack Avenue recording artist, Cohen has performed in over 40 countries, serves as host of The Jazz Cruise and a member of its programming team, and he has been chosen as Artistic Partner of the 2027 American Piano Awards. He was named DownBeat Readers Poll Pianist of the Year in 2025 and, in 2023, received both Pianist of the Year and Livestream Producer of the Year honors from the Jazz Journalists Association.
