Born and raised in Israel, Avishai Cohen has often combined Middle Eastern and Israeli music with both electric and acoustic jazz. Cohen has been called a "jazz visionary of global proportions" by DownBeat, and was declared one of the 100 Most Influential Bass Players of the 20th Century by Bass Player Magazine. He has received a deluge of critical praise for his recent recorded output and live performances. He has recorded or performed gigs with such notables as Ravi Coltrane, Wynton Marsalis, Joshua Redman, Roy Hargrove, and most notably, an extended stint with Chick Corea.