Al Cohn (November 24, 1925 – February 15, 1988) was an American jazz saxophonist, arranger and composer. He came to prominence in the band of clarinetist Woody Herman and was known for his longtime musical partnership with fellow saxophonist Zoot Sims.

Biography

Alvin Gilbert Cohn was born in Brooklyn, New York. In addition to his work as a jazz tenor saxophonist, Cohn was widely respected as an arranger. His work included the Broadway productions of Raisin' and Sophisticated Ladies, and his arrangements of his own compositions were recorded by big bands led by Maynard Ferguson, Gerry Mulligan, Terry Gibbs and Bob Brookmeyer. Also, Cohn did arrangements for unreleased Linda Ronstadt recordings from the 1980s. Cohn also appeared on stage with Elvis Presley in June, 1972, as a member of the Joe Malin Orchestra at Madison Square Garden. Al Cohn died of liver cancer in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania in 1988. Cohn's first wife was singer Marilyn Moore. His son, Joe Cohn, is a jazz guitarist. Granddaughter Shaye Cohn, Joe's daughter, is a musician who plays cornet with her band Tuba Skinny.

Discography

As leader/co-leader

As sideman

With Manny Albam With Mose Allison With Trigger Alpert With George Barnes With Art Blakey With Bob Brookmeyer With Kenny Burrell With Buck Clayton With Jimmy Giuffre With Freddie Green With Urbie Green With Coleman Hawkins With Woody Herman With Quincy Jones With Jack Kerouac With Jimmy Knepper With Mundell Lowe With the Metronome All-Stars With Gary McFarland With Carmen McRae With Gerry Mulligan With Joe Newman With Oscar Pettiford With Lalo Schifrin and Bob Brookmeyer

As arranger

With Maynard Ferguson With Astrud Gilberto With Quincy Jones With Irene Kral With Gerry Mulligan With Mark Murphy With Joe Newman With Herb Pomeroy