- 09 Jul 2026
- 4 minutes read
On October 30, 2026, the Avishai Cohen Trio takes the stage of the Stadsschouwburg in Antwerp for the live premiere of the new album Eternal Child. It's also the only chance to see one of the most influential double bassists and composers in contemporary jazz present this album himself.
Over the years, Avishai Cohen has built a body of work that continues to move critics and audiences worldwide. His breakthrough came in the 1990s, when a phone call from Chick Corea changed his life. For six years, the Israeli bassist was the linchpin of Corea's New Trio. Since then, he has grown into an artist who keeps pushing boundaries and opening new musical worlds, without ever losing sight of the emotional core of his music. His signature blend of acoustic jazz, Middle Eastern influences and a pronounced lyrical streak has earned him a loyal following worldwide and numerous accolades.
Eternal Child: the circle closes
The new album, released on May 29, 2026, carries a title Cohen didn't write himself. The title track is a special tribute: Eternal Child is a cover, a composition by Chick Corea, the mentor who helped bring Cohen onto the international stage. That encounter left a lasting mark, and with Eternal Child, Cohen closes a circle.
Indeed, that he chose that exact name and that particular song is telling. The decision came about when he came across a childhood photo of himself, around four or five years old. Fifty years later, he immediately recognized the look in the photo — the very image that now graces the album cover.
“What strikes me about that photo is the wonder in my eyes. I was a dreamer. I loved nature. Even now I'm still fascinated by it, by music and by everything magical. And in that child's eyes I already see a zest for life, a playfulness and a hunger for curiosity.” Fifty years later, that same spark still burns just as brightly.
“Remaining an eternal child is the lot of many artists. Those are the lucky ones.”
— Avishai Cohen
In Cohen's hands, the work sounds like a grateful nod to the past and a leap into the future, with a sound world that balances youthful wonder and mature artistic reflection.
On a handful of the album's tracks, you can also hear legendary drummer Jeff Ballard, alongside whom Cohen once played back in the Chick Corea days. An extra echo of the past.
A trio at full strength
Alongside Cohen on stage are pianist Itay Simhovich (22) and drummer Eviatar Slivnik (30). Two young musicians whose roots run deep in the tradition of Miles Davis, the Jazz Messengers and the trios of Bill Evans and Ahmad Jamal.
Cohen describes Eternal Child as his most “jazz” album yet, a natural result of his sidemen's personalities. They give the tracks a new depth and playfulness.
On stage, the Avishai Cohen Trio breathes as a single organism. The virtuoso double bass forms the beating heart, the lyrical piano brings color and melodic richness, while the alert, inventive drums provide pulse, tension and surprising accents. Together they create a sound world that shifts between subdued lyricism, rhythmic outbursts and moments of near chamber-music subtlety. The interplay of the trio builds a tension that never lets you go.
Intimate portrait
The ten compositions form an intimate portrait: each piece is connected to someone from Cohen's inner circle or to a personal story. That makes the music both instantly recognizable and deeply personal. Simchover and Sliv El, for instance, honor his two musicians. The ballad El Bazitacarries his partner's pet name. And he wrote My Brues for his devoted Japanese audience, who pronounce “blues” in their own way.
The album closes with Closure, which feels like both a triumphant finale and a fresh starting point.
Only Belgian date
The concert on October 30 at the Stadsschouwburg is the only Belgian occasion where the Avishai Cohen Trio performs Eternal Child live. That makes this date a real must for lovers of jazz and adventurous live music. It's a rare chance to witness an album presentation that feels both like a personal diary and an open invitation for listeners to immerse themselves in Cohen's universe. Delivered by a trio that plays with daring, imagination and an unrelenting hunger for musical discovery.
