Tal Cohen is an award-winning pianist, hailing from Israel and currently based in the US. With a unique style that flows from the Jewish folk songs and classical music he played in his formative years, Cohen’s distinctive blend of traditional jazz harmony and dynamic rhythm has seen him tour globally with the likes of Joe Lovano, Terence Blanchard and Greg Osby.

MIJF 2022 will see Cohen perform two intimate sets: the first, a deeply inventive duo, joined by Australian jazz saxophonist Jamie Oehlers, for a display of almost mysterious synchronicity developed over a decade of the pair playing together. Whilst Cohen has spent the past decade cementing himself as an internationally in-demand pianist, Oehlers has long been one of Australia’s most recognised jazz artists, having won the World Saxophone Competition in 2004, as well as numerous Australian Jazz Bell Awards.

The second set will see Cohen’s expressive playing and explorative improvising taken to new heights with an explosive quartet. He and Oehlers will be joined by two of Australia’s most respected and in-demand jazz musicians, drummer virtuoso Ben Vanderwal and double-bassist Alistair Peel.