‘An Evening with Avishai Cohen’, with the BBC Concert Orchestra
Thursday 9th February
Show: 7.30pm
Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London
Venue and event link

The concert on 9th February is dedicated to the memory of John Ellson, celebrating his life, work and great wit. John was a close friend and Avishai’s UK Producer. He was a key figure in the development of Avishai’s success being the first to introduce him to British audiences.

‘I first met Mr John Ellson (‘Elsi’) in 1999. I can’t think of anyone else I’ve met in this business that was so generous, real and purely good like John. I will miss him dearly, especially his wonderful sense of humour.’
Avishai Cohen

John worked with some of the biggest box office draws in music, including BB King, Oscar Peterson and Ray Charles, and was one of the original driving forces behind the London Jazz Festival always backing British artists and music throughout the years, making a point of nurturing new talent.

John was a tireless ambassador, promoter and producer for UK Jazz. His annual concert series, Made in the UK, gave British musicians the opportunity to perform in the USA at Rochester International Jazz Festival, New York, where he was an integral part of their team, and on the Canadian summer festival circuit, including the esteemed Montreal International Jazz Festival.

John will be remembered as a burst of sunshine, capable of lifting spirits of all those near him and will be hugely missed by many of us, on and off the stage.

John’s family would be grateful for any donations to be made to the British Heart Foundation. www.bhf.org.co.uk