Don Cohen, a music promoter, founded the Musicians Exchange nightclub in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
spotlighting 100's of musicians over the years. In the mid-90's Cohen staged the Riverwalk Blues & Music Festival. Top names in blues, jazz, roots music & R&B played the festival, attracting thousands of people.
Cohen played an instrumental part in the music industry remaining active for more than 30 years as a talent coordinator, retailer, promoter, booker and artist manager.
Though Don and Jaco butted heads, it was a great hangout for many jams, two recordings can be found at Len Pogost's unissued live recordings page. He was also responsible for getting Jaco's twins gigs when they first came onto the playing scene.
Don passed away on his 55th birthday, October 5. For those who are local:
Please join us in
A Celebration of Don Cohen's Life & Legacy
THE DON COHEN MEMORIAL CONCERT
Wed., Oct. 10th, at 8:00PM
Hollywood Playhouse
2640 Washington St.
Hollywood, FL 33020
Phone 954.922.0404,
www.hollywoodplayhouse.com
Performers will include long-time Musicians Exchange friends:
Randy Bernsen, Famous Frank Ward, David Shelley, Sheldon Voss, Capt. Reese, Nicole Yarling, Randi "the violinist" Fishenfeld, Jason Rosner, Tim Kuchta, Randy Singer, Howard Goldberg, Jack Bluni, Peter Betan, Rick Cafaro, Motel Mel Seba, Joe Saint, Liz Sharp, Jerry Crepeau, Jerry Mascaro, the Hep Cat Boo Daddies (Joel DaSilva, Sean "Evil" Gerovitz & Randy Blitz) ... and others to be announced.
There will be no cover charge to attend this memorial event.
Donations will be accepted for a Memorial Tribute for Don Cohen.
And donations can also be sent to:
HOSPICE of Gold Coast Home Health Services.
2101 W. Commercial Blvd., Suite 4500, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33309
Special thanks to Ron Posner, owner, Hollywood Playhouse
for offering up this beautiful venue for this event.
Laura Sue "the Silver Nightingale" Wilansky
will be performing on flute in the playhouse lobby.
There will be a slideshow presentation put together by
Riverwalk Blues Fest official photographer Robert Stolpe.
Artwork will be supplied by Joe Klucar www.Klucar.com
Stage managers: Jerry Hester, Frank Ward, Reese Singleton
For further info, please contact:
Judy Blem, event coordinator
info@MainEventTalent.com or call 954.429.0401
For continued updates & to view Event Page:
visit www.myspace.com/judyblem
