Introducing...Jake Cohen

Photo by Robert Longley

Jake comes to us from the Berklee School of music where he has been a prominent session enforcer on drums from the start of his tenure there in 2007. Here is a little 411 on him.

Growing up in a house full of music, Jake Cohen began playing drums at age 4 on a 1967 Rogers Blue Sparkle Holiday Kit, the same drum set he uses today. His father introduced him to many artists, ranging from fusion greats like Billy Cobham, Lenny White, and Dennis Chambers, to celebrated rockers Mitch Mitchell and John Bonham, and funk giant David Garibaldi.

Jake began performing at an early age: At 10, he was invited to join the Lower Merion District Jazz Band, where he performed at Philadelphia Phillies games and at the Marriott in New York City. From there he was selected for his middle school and high school jazz bands, winning numerous solo awards at festivals. Jake also played with several groups throughout high school, including his own Jazz Trio that began gigging regularly around Philadelphia when he was 16.

In the fall of 2007, Jake enrolled at Berklee College of Music in Boston. Since then, he's quickly become one of the most in demand Drummers there: He was invited to join the prestigious Tower of Power Ensemble under the direction of Wayne Naus, is currently studying with Terri Lyne Carrington, and is gigging/recording all over Boston at least 3-4 times a week. He has also had the chance to work with artists such as Fred Wesley (James Brown Longtime Bandleader), Dee Dee Bridgewater (Famous Jazz Singer) and Me'shell Ndegeocello (Bassist/Vocalist).