Israeli bassist and composer Avishai Cohen has announced the launch of Unbiblical, a new studio album and live concert tour based on the posthumous writings of Leonard Cohen.
The project will make its world premiere in January at the Tel Aviv Culture Palace (Heichal HaTarbut) before transitioning to an international tour.
The project represents three years of development by Cohen and has received authorization from Leonard Cohen’s family and estate executors.
The core of the project consists of 14 new tracks recorded in Paris alongside an international ensemble. The lyrics are drawn from The Flame, a collection of Leonard Cohen’s final poems and writings published after his death in 2016.
Cohen says the concept began in September 2023 during a flight from New York to Los Angeles, when he started reading The Flame to find material for an upcoming studio session. He composed the first song, “Undertow,” the next day and completed the remaining 13 pieces over the next two weeks.
Leonard Cohen maintains relationship with Israeli culture
The project connects two prominent figures in the music industry. Leonard Cohen maintained a documented relationship with Israeli culture throughout his career, which included performing for soldiers during the 1973 Yom Kippur War.
Cohen has spent three decades as a prominent jazz bassist and composer on the international stage.
For the live world premiere, Cohen will perform on bass and vocals. His accompanying ensemble features Itay Shamchovitch on piano and synthesizer, Yahli Stern on drums, Yotam Zilberstein on guitar, and Talia Davidson on vocals.
The program will include the 14 new selections as well as a retrospective of pieces from Avishai Cohen’s past catalog.
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