Hal Cohen - music, multi-media, websites, internat, movies, fun, open mics, showcases, CDs

Hal's Bio

Hal Cohen, a singer/songwriter and multi instrumentalist was born and raised in a musical environment in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. One evening, his father, also a musician, brought home a Hohner Chromatic harmonica (the kind with the button on the side for sharps and flats). Hal, then six years old, figured out how to play the Star-Spangled banner within minutes. Shortly after that, his dad showed him a few chords on his old Gretch and the rest is history.

In 1977, Cohen moved to Santa Monica where he got his performing chops as a singing waiter at The Great American Food and Beverage Company. Since then he has performed at open mics and showcases, playing covers and original songs in bands and as a solo acoustic act. His style is influenced by a eclectic mix including the Beatles, Elvis, The Lovin' Spoonful, Elvis Costello, Eric Clapton, David Bowie, Sir Elton John, The Who, Jimi Hendrix, Paul Simon, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Jimmy Cliff, Frank Zappa, and Al Yankovic.
Hal has also written songs for three plays. In 1998, he was nominated by the Valley Theater League to receive the Artistic Director Achievement Award for "Girls Night Out" by Lynn A. Henderson. He received rave reviews for his songs in "Bike Crash Blues" by Don Jarmin.

Hal will bw releasing a CD in 2005 which you will be able to purchase at his upcoming showcases and through this website and other outlets.

He is also the publisher of another website, "Li'l Hank's Guide For Songwriters" - a free songwriter's resource which is home to Hal's Open Mic And Showcase Guide as well as the Schmoozatorium, a message board for posting and updating information about open mics and showcases in Los angeles and other major cities.

Contact Hal by email:
hal@halcohen.net