We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Daniel Cohen. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Daniel below.
Hi Daniel, so happy to have you on the platform and I think our readers are in for a treat because you’ve got such an interesting story and so much insight and wisdom. So, let’s start with a topic that is relevant to everyone, regardless of industry etc. What do you do for self-care and how has it impacted you?
Over time I learned that in order to be effective at what I do whether that’s practicing, writing, playing a gig etc. I have to make sure that I take care of the basic things I need to function. So trying to get enough sleep, eating properly as much as I can and even scheduling time to rest between projects or gigs.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I knew I wanted to be a musician ever since I remember myself. Thanks to my father R.I.P who was a self taught amateur musician. Even though I never had the opportunity to learn from him I was born into a house full many musical instrument. I was drawn to the instruments ever since I was a year old and always had an urge to make music with other people. I was messing around with all the instruments as a kid, playing mostly by ear. At the age of 11 I started my formal education taking saxophone lessons. playing the saxophone and being primarily an ear player I very quickly started gravitating towards jazz. The first jazz musicians I listened to were Dexter Gordon and Charlie Parker who to this day remain two of my biggest influences. Hearing them for the first time made me realize I want to become a jazz musician. I set myself a goal to get into the Thelma Yellin School for the arts which had a great jazz program and was a real hub for artists all over the country for generations. During my time there I also started getting on the scene in Tel Aviv. I feel very fortunate and grateful that I was welcomed so warmly by the older musicians that many times invited me to sit in with them and taught me not using words but just by doing their thing and letting me share the bandstand with them. Sharing that experience with them as a teenager encouraged me to set my next goal: moving to New York City, meeting my favorite musicians and studying at The Juilliard School. These days I’m about to graduate from Juilliard with a bachelors degree, balancing being in school, playing around New York and also getting to travel a little bit. During my time at Juilliard I also dedicated a lot of my time to composition and arranging. One of my dreams was to learn how to write music for large ensembles and these days I find myself spending a lot of my time writing and arranging for orchestra and big band as well as my own bands. I’m currently working on music for my sextet that I’m hoping to record in the next year!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Going to the Thelma Yellin School for the arts really taught me some valuable life lessons that I keep referring to in my professional life.
Always be kind to the people around you.
Be Professional. To me that means showing up early, being dressed properly and knowing the music. I would say that as a leader, always take the time to make things easier on your band members, They will appreciate it. Make sure to proof read the parts before handing them out, taping them together and presenting the music to them in the way you want your music to get played. If you take it seriously, so will they. As a sideman, be flexible and easy to work with and always ask the band leader if there’s anything you can do to help to take some of the stress off them because being a band leader is a lot of work and they will definitely appreciate that.
Take care of the music. Invest your whole heart and soul into the craft before expecting any reward. The reward should be in the music itself. And remember that it’s always about the process and not the end goal. Learn to enjoy it and that will ensure an endlessly exciting journey and maintain a positive attitude.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
I cannot stress enough how much my mother did for me. Without her help and support I wouldn’t be close to where I am today. Ever since I was a young kid and she discovered my passion for music, she did everything she could in order for me to pursue my dream. It wasn’t easy to become a professional musician and receive the best music education coming from a single parent home. Without her constant efforts to find scholarships that would allow me to study music and staying up late at night to take me to jazz clubs and jam sessions, sometimes even waiting for me in the car just so I can get the opportunity to play alongside my heroes is not something I take for granted and will always be thankful of.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.danielcohenmusic.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daniel_cohen_music/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@daniel_cohen_music
Image Credits
Aaron J. Derwin II
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