Josh Cohen is an acclaimed bassist, composer, session musician, author, and music educator who has earned numerous accolades for his exceptional talent and innovative approach to music. Among his many achievements, he has performed on two Juno Award-nominated albums and co-wrote a Juno Award-nominated single, showcasing his versatility and musical prowess. Additionally, he was awarded 1st place in the NAMM 2020 PJB Solo Bass Competition, recognized as a 2018 Madison Magazine Honoree for Innovation in the Arts, No Treble's Number 1 Bass Video of the Year in 2015, and 2nd Place Winner of the 2016 Phil Jones Bass Solo Bass Competition.

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Josh frequently travels throughout North America to perform and lead clinics and workshops, including notable events like Gerald Veasley’s Bass Boot Camp, Gruv Gear’s Clinic Series, Bass Break Live, and the Waupaca Bach Festival. He has also been featured at Solo Bass Night VI and VII, and was recently recognized as one of the world’s top bassists, ranking #96 in the 2022 book Titans of Bass.

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Listeners are often captivated by Josh's solo bass performances, which showcase his mastery of extended techniques and ability to create the sound of an entire band with just one instrument, all in real-time and without the aid of loop pedals. His unique sound can be heard on his debut 2014 album Out of the Bassment and 2020 album Freedom, in which some of the compositions have been performed by aspiring musicians around the world, including on their university recitals.

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Furthermore, his commitment to artistic excellence has been recognized by the Ontario Council for the Arts, as he was awarded a prestigious recording grant for his debut solo ensemble album We Are Home, which is set to feature some of Canada's most renowned jazz musicians. The album is scheduled for release in early 2025.

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In addition to his performance career, Josh holds a Master of Arts in Music Composition (2016) from York University, Toronto, ON, where he studied under the guidance of Professor Alan Henderson. He also graduated with a Bachelor of Music with Honours (2012) from Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, Toronto, ON, where he garnered multiple awards including the prestigious Mike Downes Bass Award.

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As an accomplished author, Josh has contributed to the bass community with his two bass transcription/instructional books, Tapping Grooves: Vol.1 and Josh Cohen - Freedom Solo Bass Transcriptions.

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Josh has played at prestigious venues and festivals including Beaches International Jazz Festival 2010, Isthmus Jazz Festival 2021, Glenn Gould Studio, Powerade Centre, Harbourfront Centre, Breakfast Television, Mel Lastman Square, Dundas Square, and others, collaborating with renowned musicians such as Brownman Ali, Ernesto Cervini, Ted Quinlan, Beny Esguerra, Mark Kelso, Tony Grey, Richard Waller, and others.

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Beyond his performance and authorship, Josh has worked as a transcriber and arranger, subcontracting for college ensembles. He also serves as a private music instructor, managing a successful online studio with students, including professional bassists in their own right, studying bass, piano, guitar, voice, improvisation, composition, and music theory.

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Josh's impressive musicianship and dedication to his craft have made him a standout figure in the music industry and an inspiration to aspiring bassists worldwide.

"Cohen has mastered the six-string bass, and “Frostbite” is a mesmerizing showcase of his ability to play chords, melody, bass lines and percussion all at once"

                                                             - Isthmus Newspaper