Israeli bassist and composer Avishai Cohen is set to debut a new album and live concert series titled *Unbiblical*, a project inspired by the posthumous writings of renowned poet and musician Leonard Cohen. The world premiere is scheduled for January at Tel Aviv’s Culture Palace (Heichal HaTarbut) before embarking on an international tour.

*Unbiblical* represents three years of development and has received formal approval from Leonard Cohen’s family and estate executors. Central to the project are 14 newly composed tracks, recorded in Paris with an international ensemble. The lyrics are drawn from *The Flame*, a collection of Leonard Cohen’s final poems and writings released after his death in 2016.

The concept originated in September 2023 during a flight from New York to Los Angeles, when Avishai Cohen encountered *The Flame* and found material that inspired an upcoming studio session. He composed the opening piece, “Undertow,” the following day, completing the remainder of the album’s tracks over the next two weeks.

The project highlights a connection between two prominent figures in music. Leonard Cohen, who passed away in 2016, maintained a notable relationship with Israeli culture throughout his career, including performing for Israeli soldiers during the 1973 Yom Kippur War. Avishai Cohen himself has spent more than 30 years as a distinguished jazz bassist and composer on the international stage.

For the live premiere, Cohen will perform on bass and vocals alongside a supporting ensemble featuring Itay Shamchovitch on piano and synthesizer, Yahli Stern on drums, Yotam Zilberstein on guitar, and Talia Davidson on vocals. The concert will showcase the 14 new compositions alongside a selection of pieces from Avishai Cohen’s own previous work.

Further information and tickets are available through the project’s official website.