[Cover photo credit to Kevin Alexander]
Pianist, composer, and bandleader Emmet Cohen has released the deluxe edition of his newest album Universal Truth via Mack Avenue Records. Recorded in celebration of the 2026 centennial year of Miles Davis and John Coltrane, Universal Truth honors the pianist’s forebears by “carrying forward their spirit of personal and spiritual discovery in his own distinctive style.”
The deluxe edition expands the acclaimed project with a previously unreleased studio track “Luck Be A Lady feat. Patrick Bartley, Jr.” and a live version of Cohen’s three-part original suite of music, recorded at Smoke Jazz Club in New York, NY. The new bonus tracks provide a further look into Cohen’s celebration of two of Jazz’s most enduring musical legacies.
From his collection of Masters Legacy Series recordings, to his livestream series Live From Emmet’s Place, Cohen has consistently emphasized connection across generations and audiences. Recently, Emmet celebrated the release of Universal Truth along with the centennials of Miles Davis and John Coltrane with a special edition of Live From Emmet’s Place.
Universal Truth features classic tunes associated with the album’s twin inspirations of Miles Davis and John Coltrane. For the album’s rendition of “My Funny Valentine,” Cohen brought together bassist Ron Carter and tenor saxophonist George Coleman for a reunion, more than sixty years after they performed on the Miles Davis album of the same name at Lincoln Center’s Philharmonic Hall.
The rhythm section for the album is Cohen’s trio with bassist Yasushi Nakamura and drummer Joe Farnsworth. Jeremy Pelt also contributes trumpet and tenor Tivon Pennicott takes part.
Cohen comments:
In all my research and study into John Coltrane, one phrase always stuck out. Universal Truth.’ When Trane talked about his artistry and his calling, his intention was always to seek that universal truth. I interpret that to mean his higher power, his version of God, his connection to the source that connects and calls to every living thing on Earth.
Tracklisting:
1. Budo
2. Well You Needn’t
3. My Funny Valentine
4. Gingerbread Boy
5. I. Eternal Glimpse
6. II. Compassion
7. III. Universal Truth
8. Blue Train
9. Luck Be A Lady feat. Patrick Bartley, Jr. (Bonus Track)
10. I. Eternal Glimpse (Live at Smoke) (Bonus Track)
11. II. Compassion (Live at Smoke) (Bonus Track)
12. III. Universal Truth (Live at Smoke) (Bonus Track)
Tour Dates
Oct 9: Provo, UT – BYU
Oct 11: Berkeley, CA – Freight and Salvage
Oct 16: Harrisburg, PA – St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
Oct 29: Athina, Greece – Gazarte
Oct 30: Budapest, Hungary – Müpa, Budapest
Oct 31: Přerov, Czechia – Městký Dům
Nov 2: London, UK – Wigmore Hall
Nov 3: Berlin, Germany – Zig Zag Jazz Club
Nov 5: Madrid, Spain – Fernán Gómez
Nov 7: Sacile, Italy – Teatro Zancanaro
Nov 8: Gdańsk, Poland – Scena MONK
Nov 9: Bydgoszcz, Poland – Opera Nova
Nov 11: Echternach, Luxembourg – Trifolion
Nov 13: Utrecht, Netherlands – TrivoliVredenburg
Nov 14: Groningen, Netherlands – De Oosterpoort
Dec 8-12: New York, NY – Birdland Jazz Club
Jan 12-17: David Foster at Sea
Jan 17-24: The Jazz Cruise
Jan 24-31: Journey of Jazz Cruise
Feb 12: Boston, MA – Berklee Performance Center
Feb 19-21: Northridge, CA – Cal State Northridge
March 6: St. Louis, MO – Sheldon Concert Hall
March 20: Toronto, ON – Meridian Arts Centre
