Al Cohn's Natural Seven: Masters of West Coast Cool Jazz
Al Cohn's Natural Seven was a celebrated American jazz ensemble led by saxophonist, arranger, and composer Al Cohn. The group, formed in the late 1950s, is best known for its sophisticated, swinging interpretations within the cool jazz idiom, captured on a series of influential albums for the RCA Victor label.
Early career
Al Cohn, born in Brooklyn in 1925, first gained major attention as a tenor saxophonist and arranger for the Woody Herman orchestra in the late 1940s. His deep musical kinship with fellow Herman alumnus Zoot Sims led to numerous collaborations, establishing Cohn as a formidable voice in the post-swing era known for his lyrical, Lester Young-influenced style.
Breakthrough
The breakthrough for the specific "Natural Seven" format came with the 1957 album The Natural Seven. Released on RCA Victor, this session showcased Cohn's brilliant arranging for a mid-sized ensemble, blending the intimacy of a combo with the textured voicings of a bigger band. The critical acclaim for this album and its 1958 follow-up, That Old Feeling, solidified the group's reputation.
Key tracks
The Natural Seven — The title track from the debut album perfectly encapsulates the group's crisp, contrapuntal sound and laid-back swing.
It's a Wonderful World — This track highlights Cohn's clever arrangement, giving a fresh, driving feel to a classic jazz standard.
Two Funky People — A Cohn original that became a staple, demonstrating his skill as a composer in the hard bop and blues traditions.
That Old Feeling — From the second album, this ballad showcases the ensemble's rich, warm treatment of melody and harmony.
Jump the Blues Away — An upbeat number that illustrates the sheer joy and cohesive swing the unit could generate.
The success of the Natural Seven albums led to further studio work and touring. Al Cohn continued to be a prolific figure in jazz, collaborating extensively with Zoot Sims on the famous "Al and Zoot" recordings and working as a sought-after arranger for television and other artists throughout the 1960s and 1970s.
For fans of the cool, arranged sound of Al Cohn's Natural Seven, explore similar artists featured on our site. Listen to Zoot Sims for his direct musical partnership and twin-tenor magic with Cohn. Discover Gerry Mulligan for another leading arranger and baritone saxophonist in the cool jazz movement. The music of Bob Brookmeyer shares a similar focus on intricate arrangements for smaller groups. Enjoy Woody Herman to hear the big band roots where Cohn and many of his contemporaries developed their craft.
The sophisticated cool jazz of Al Cohn's Natural Seven remains a staple on dedicated jazz FM stations and online jazz radio streams. Their meticulously crafted albums are frequently featured in programming blocks focusing on the classic post-bop era.
You can hear the timeless music of Al Cohn's Natural Seven on the jazz radio stations featured on onairium.com. Tune in to discover the elegant swing and masterful arrangements that define this essential chapter in American jazz history.
