Ethan Cohn is a bass player, composer, improvisor, and an avid explorer of the unknown. Known for his versatility across genres and his love of musical cross-pollination, Ethan has performed with groups from all over the musical map. He has carved a distinct voice for himself through his clear sound, strong groove, and consistently melodic approach to playing the bass. 

Born and raised in New York City, Ethan began playing classical cello at the age of five. As a teenager, he became fascinated with the jazz, rock, and blues of the ‘60s and ‘70s, which inspired him to switch to the electric bass. Ethan soon found himself playing acoustic bass as well, studying at Juilliard’s Precollege program with world-renowned bassist Eugene Levinson. In tandem with his educational opportunities, Ethan’s exposure to New York’s vibrant musical offerings and his frequent exploratory jams with friends drew him increasingly towards a life as a performer and composer of music. At the age of 18, Ethan won the opportunity to write a piece for the New York Philharmonic, which was performed as a part of their Very Young Composer’s program. 

In 2014 Ethan relocated to Montreal, Canada to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in jazz performance at McGill University, where he studied with teachers who would prove to be some of his most important mentors: Fraser Hollins, Christine Jensen, Chris McCann, and John Hollenbeck. He graduated in 2017 and remained in Montreal for the next three years, quickly becoming a staple of the local music scene. He began traveling frequently to take part in residencies and festivals including the Banff Workshop for Jazz & Creative Music, the Generations International Jazz Festival, and the Umbria Jazz Festival. It was during this time that he founded The Plastic Waste Band, a psychedelic jazz-rock group known for their commitment to environmental conservation and their refreshingly accessible yet rule-breaking approach to composed and improvised music. Ethan has released three albums of his original music as leader and bassist of The Plastic Waste Band.

In 2020, Ethan was selected to be a part of the Focusyear band, an 8-piece international jazz ensemble located in Basel, Switzerland. Over the course of a year, he worked with many of today’s luminaries in jazz and creative music: Kurt Rosenwinkel, Lionel Loueke, Guillermo Klein, Jen Shyu, Miguel Zenon, Sam Amidon, Wolfgang Muthspiel, Ingrid Jensen, Brad Mehldau, and others. He also studied privately with Larry Grenadier, one of his heroes of the upright bass. Ethan recorded an album with the Focusyear band, and proceeded to tour throughout Switzerland, Spain, Ukraine, Germany, and Austria. 

In the fall of 2021, Ethan moved back to his home of New York to begin his master’s studies at The New School’s Performer-Composer program. This interdisciplinary program allowed him to delve into the world of electroacoustic music, which has become a significant part of his practice. He was hired as a research assistant by percussionist and electronic musician Levy Lorenzo to work with the Nstrument Lab, where he explores contemporary applications of technology in music. Through The New School, Ethan has studied privately in bass and composition with Reid Anderson, Dave Douglas, Buster Williams, Elliot Cole, and Drew Gress. 

Ethan currently lives in a small apartment in NYC’s East Village, and can be seen playing bass around the city with various groups.