Emmet Cohen has announced ‘Universal Truth’, his fourth album for Mack Avenue Records, arriving May 29th. Recorded in celebration of the centennial year of both Miles Davis and John Coltrane, the album carries forward their spirit of personal and spiritual discovery through Cohen’s own distinctly modern lens. The DownBeat Readers Poll Pianist of the Year for 2025 brings the full weight of his craft to this one.
The album is built around classic repertoire associated with both legends, but the crown jewel is Cohen’s original three-part suite, also titled “Universal Truth.” He draws the title directly from Coltrane’s own language: “When Trane talked about his artistry and his calling, his intention was always to seek that universal truth.” That searching quality runs through every track, and Cohen’s suite stands as some of the most ambitious and revelatory work of his career.
The assembled cast is extraordinary. Bassist Ron Carter and tenor saxophonist George Coleman reunite on “My Funny Valentine,” more than sixty years after recording it with Miles Davis at Lincoln Center. Trumpeter Jeremy Pelt delivers a blistering solo on “Well You Needn’t,” and the album closes with Coltrane’s “Blue Trane,” featuring the twin tenors of Coleman and Tivon Pennicott alongside Pelt and Cohen’s core trio of Yasushi Nakamura and Joe Farnsworth.
‘Universal Truth’ is Cohen doing exactly what he does best: connecting generations, honoring the lineage, and making something that feels urgent and alive in the present tense. Pre-orders are open now.
A wide-ranging tour is already underway, stretching deep into 2027 and including livestream events, festival appearances, and concert hall dates across North America.
‘Universal Truth’ Tracklist:
- Budo
- Well You Needn’t
- My Funny Valentine
- Gingerbread Boy
- I. Eternal Glimpse
- II. Compassion
- III. Universal Truth
- Blue Trane
Tour Dates:
March 24-28 – New York, NY – Birdland
March 29 – Portsmouth, NH – Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club
April 4 – Gainesville, FL – University of Florida
April 6-7 – La Jolla, CA – The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center
April 8 – Stanford, CA – Bing Concert Hall
April 9 – San Francisco, CA – SFJAZZ Center
April 10 – Rohnert Park, CA – Sonoma State University
April 11 – Irvine, CA – Irvine Barclay Theatre
April 12 – Santa Barbara, CA – Campbell Hall
April 14 – Santa Cruz, CA – Kuumbwa Jazz Center
April 16-19 – Seattle, WA – Jazz Alley
April 21 – West Vancouver, BC – Kay Meek Arts Centre
April 22 – Portland, OR – The Old Church Concert Hall
April 27 – Livestream – Live From Emmet’s Place (featuring Veronica Swift)
April 29 – International Jazz Day Celebration
May 2 – Danbury, CT – Western Connecticut State University
May 8 – Miami, FL – Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts
May 17 – Buffalo, NY – Kleinhans Music Hall
May 25 – Livestream – Live From Emmet’s Place (Universal Truth Release Show)
May 28 – Los Angeles, CA – The Wallis with the Pacific Jazz Orchestra
June 11 – Cincinnati, OH – Caffe Vivace
June 12 – Lakeside, OH – Hoover Auditorium
June 14 – Boone, NC – Appalachian Theatre of the High Country
June 22 – Livestream – Live From Emmet’s Place (featuring Chris Potter)
July 8-12 – New York, NY – Smoke Jazz Club
July 25 – Katonah, NY – Caramoor
September 5-6 – Washington, DC – DC Jazz Fest
September 8-12 – New York, NY – Birdland
September 18-25 – Botti @ Sea
September 26 – Chicago, IL – Hyde Park Jazz Festival
October 9 – Provo, UT – BYU
October 11 – Berkeley, CA – Freight and Salvage
January 12-17 – David Foster at Sea
January 17-24 – The Jazz Cruise
January 24-31 – Journey of Jazz Cruise
February 12 – Boston, MA – Berklee Performance Center
February 19-21 – Northridge, CA – Cal State Northridge