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Europe is more than just a place on the map. It is a living, vibrant melting pot of cultures. At the heart of this cultural richness lies the multifaceted experience of Jewish life in Europe, an enduring story of resilience, creativity and profound cultural influence.

01. September 2026

Avishai Cohen »Big Vicious« at the Kölner Philharmonie

On 7 September 2026, JEWLIF and the Cologne Jazzweek present trumpeter Avishai Cohen and his band Big Vicious at the Kölner Philharmonie. An evening of music from Israel for Cologne, part of MENTSH UNITED.

Art, Culture and Society
Trumpeter Avishai Cohen, photo: Daniella Feijoo © Daniella Feijoo
Avishai Cohen, trumpeter and leader of the band Big Vicious.

Cologne

On Monday, 7 September 2026, at 8 pm, Avishai Cohen and his band Big Vicious take the stage at the Kölner Philharmonie. JEWLIF presents the concert in cooperation with the Cologne Jazzweek. The festival runs from 5 to 11 September, its sixth edition, and was named Festival of the Year at the German Jazz Prize in 2023.

A band of old friends

Avishai Cohen had long made his name in New York: as a charismatic trumpeter, as a bandleader who likes working in collaborative line-ups, and as a composer who moves between the improvised music of the United States and Europe. Then he moved back to Tel Aviv. For his new electric band he brought together musicians he had known for years, some of them since they played together as teenagers.

The album »Big Vicious« came out in 2020 and shares its name with the band. The music sometimes leans towards rock, and in its electronic moments towards trip hop and ambient. It never gets loud or unruly. Cohen cares about a clear sonic architecture, about phrasing and a quiet melodic tone, while two drummers keep the rhythmic foundation under tension.

In Cologne the band is Avishai Cohen (trumpet, effects), Uzi Ramirez (guitar), Yonatan Albalak (bass), Jonathan Levy (bass), Aviv Cohen (drums) and Ziv Ravitz (drums, effects).

Why JEWLIF presents this concert

The concert is part of MENTSH UNITED, JEWLIF’s cultural project in the area of Art, Culture and Society. Its motto is “Connecting People Through Music And Mentshlichkeit”. Andrei Kovacs, Secretary General of JEWLIF:

“Cologne Jazzweek and we share the conviction that music connects people. In our cultural project Mentsh United we also work with music, film and education to build bridges between people. We are proud of where we are based. In Cologne, Jewish life north of the Alps has been documented since the year 321, and the anniversary year »1700 Years of Jewish Life in Germany« was a powerful reminder of that in 2021. We are delighted that Avishai Cohen and his ensemble bring such a high-calibre group from Israel to Cologne.”

Prof. Janning Trumann, Managing and Artistic Director of Cologne Jazzweek: “We are very pleased about the cooperation with JEWLIF as part of Cologne Jazzweek 2026. The concert by Avishai Cohen and his project Big Vicious at the Kölner Philharmonie is a particular highlight of this year’s festival programme. Since it was founded, Cologne Jazzweek has created new encounters and made tangible what jazz and improvised music stand for: curiosity, openness and playing together as equals. In doing so we support democratic values such as respect, participation and open dialogue, regardless of origin, religion or belief.”

The Cologne Jazzweek

The Cologne Jazzweek is an international festival for jazz and improvised music. In 2026 the programme has more than 50 concerts on over 20 stages across Cologne. The evening at the Philharmonie is JEWLIF’s contribution to the week.

The concert at a glance

What
Avishai Cohen »Big Vicious«, presented by JEWLIF in cooperation with the Cologne Jazzweek

When
Monday, 7 September 2026, 8 pm

Where
Kölner Philharmonie, Bischofsgartenstraße 1, 50667 Cologne

Tickets at the Kölner Philharmonie

Concert page at the Cologne Jazzweek Festival programme

More about the cultural project: MENTSH UNITED

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