Re: Joe Cohn


Jack A. Zucker wrote:
I've heard of Joe for years. I actually bought a metheny transcription from
him years ago when he was a student at berklee. He used to advertise in the
magazines that he'd transcribe any solo for a fee. I've heard a few bits and


That's pretty funny. I remember being over this guy's house, maybe it
was Jim Silberstein, and seeing a pile of transcriptions in a folder
with the inscription 'for Joe Cohn'. I think they were sam Brown solos.
Or maybe they were at sam's house. Sam was part of it somehow. This was
like the late '70s, early 80s the latest. I never even met Cohn yet,
but for some reason I bought a guitar from a guy named George Mell, and
he kept mentioniong it was Joe Cohn's guitar. So I sort of met him
before I met him. Then I told him that story about the pile of
transcriptions and he looked at me like I was nuts. Well I AM nuts.
We're BOTH nuts.

Are you guys still reading this? Because if you are you are truly
obsessed. I'll tell two quick stories, neither of which I think he'd
mind and if he does tough *** (and I say that with the deepest
affection (---: ).

The first time I went over this guy's house to play he wanted to read.
I never practice reading but i'm not really that bad. But THIS MF---he
slapped my ass around the room for about an hour until I couldn't take
it any more and said ike "OK. OK, goddamit. Let's play a tune now. You
made your point Uncle, motherfucker!" I'm cracking up just remembering
this. So we played some tunes and we must've sounded pretty good
because Dennis Irwin came down and knocked on the door and wanted to
play with us. When Dennis came Joe got out his trumpet. We started
playing Tom Harrell tunes I brought, and standards. Dennis played his
ass off too. His time is so happening. That was some of the most
swinging music I've ever played without drums.

Finally Joe said out of the blue he had to take a shower. Later he
told me it was because he didn't know whatever tune we were playing and
that was his way out. When we left his pad he gave me a ride downtown.
He had his guitar, trumpet, and i think Fender bass with him. I still
don't know where the motherfucker was going.

The other story:I double-booked myself and sent him as a sub. I
finished my job early and went to listen to him. He was sitting there
with his legs crossed playing so much music it was scary. He asked me
if I wanted to play I said, uh, no.

That's Joe Cohn, and it's all recounted with love and a deep bow to
one of the greatest musicians I've ever known.

.