Exclusive one-night-only performance by Jimi Prasad Orchestra

One of Israel’s most celebrated jazz musicians, trumpeter and ECM recording artist Avishai Cohen returns to London next month with a major new project created in collaboration with producer and multi-instrumentalist Rejoicer (Stones Throw).

Presented by the Jewish Music Institute (JMI) as part of its commitment to showcasing outstanding Jewish musical creativity, the Jimi Prasad Orchestra is a ten-piece ensemble bringing together contemporary jazz, ambient electronics, orchestral composition and improvisation. The orchestra, formed between 2019 and 2022 is led by the notoriously reclusive session musician Jimi Prasad and brings together a group of exceptional players, featuring trumpeter Avishai Cohen and producer/multi-instrumentalist Rejoicer.

Shifting between intimate, meditative passages and expansive rhythmic outbursts, the orchestra’s sound draws from deep groove, classical texture, live electronics and improvisation. Resisting clear categorisation, this is music that unfolds in real time — attentive to silence, atmosphere and the interplay between musicians — creating a performance that is both ceremonial and unpredictable.

Jimi Prasad is a notoriously reclusive, highly influential session musician whose work spans underground jazz and psychedelic scenes. Long regarded as an enigmatic, near-mythic figure, he has spent much of his career shaping musical communities from behind the scenes rather than through public presence. The Jimi Prasad Orchestra marks a rare foregrounding of his work, emerging after years of quiet development.

Rob Rinder, chair of this special event, says: “Jewish music has always told the story of resilience, joy and belonging. We are thrilled to welcome these exceptional musicians for what promises to be an unforgettable evening in support of JMI.”

Following releases including Help With Your Heart (2023) and the EP Nolite Opus (2025), the project continues to evolve through live performance, collective listening and an ongoing process of exploration. The UK premiere is a special one-night-only performance on 7 July at Stone Nest, Soho.

Click here for more information and tickets