At the intersection of music and the mind

Columbia’s Zuckerman Institute is committed to creating a dynamic and exciting environment for the exploration of the mind and brain. Advances in a field as wide as brain science necessitate an approach that transcends disciplines and boundaries. To foster a connection between music and sciences, Columbia's Zuckerman Institute established the Jazz Artist-in-Residence program in 2019. This program sponsors musical artists for a period of engagement, inspiration and discovery at the Institute.

The 2026-2027 Jazz Artist-in-Residence at Columbia's Zuckerman Institute is jazz pianist Emmet Cohen.

About Emmet Cohen

Emmet Cohen is widely regarded as a leading jazz pianist of his generation and a defining force in the evolution of the art form. A virtuoso musician, producer, and bandleader, he combines deep respect for jazz tradition with a singular ability to create connection, community, and momentum in the modern era.

Cohen has released 12 albums as a leader and is the producer and creative force behind Live From Emmet's Place, a landmark series comprising over 140 two-hour livestream performances featuring hundreds of musicians spanning generations and reaching more than 100 million views worldwide. The series continues from Power Station NYC, having grown from an intimate broadcast into a global cultural platform.

A Mack Avenue recording artist, Cohen has performed in over 40 countries, serves as host of The Jazz Cruise and a member of its programming team, and he has been chosen as Artistic Partner of the 2027 American Piano Awards. He was named DownBeat Readers Poll Pianist of the Year (2025) and, in 2023, received both Pianist of the Year and Livestream Producer of the Year honors from the Jazz Journalists Association.

Emmet Cohen's residency is hosted by Michael Shadlen, MD, PhD, professor of neuroscience and principal investigator at Columbia's Zuckerman Institute, with support from Chris Washburne, PhD, professor of music at Columbia University.