After studies at The Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, Jeff’s interest in French music brought him to Paris where he studied at the Conservatoire National with Reine Gianoli and Geneviève Joy. He later continued studies with Leon Fleisher and Peter Feuchtwanger.
He has performed with singers and instrumentalists such as Roberto Alagna, June Anderson, Cecilia Bartoli, Jane Birkin, Tassis Christoyannis, Karine Deshayes, Angela Gheorghiu, Véronique Gens, Ivry Gitlis, Ida Haendel, Sumi Jo, Steve Lacy, Noël Lee, Ute Lemper, François Le Roux, Dame Felicity Lott, Mady Mesplé...

He has made a number of recordings, including a « live » recital at La Scala with Angela Gheorghiu, various compilations of French mélodie with Tassis Christoyannis or François Le Roux, Kurt Weill and cabaret songs with Ute Lemper and two-piano works with Noel Lee. He has assisted conductors such as Sir Mark Elder, Christopher Hogwood, John Nelson, Michel Plasson and Sir George Solti on recordings with Decca, EMI and Warner.

Jeff Cohen appeared as pianist in Peter Brook’s production "Impressions de Pelléas" as well as Roman Polanski’s staging of the play "Masterclass" in Paris with Fanny Ardant. He conducted Giorgio Strehler’s production of "Der Dreigroschenoper" and was assistant to Myung-Whung Chung on Verdi’s "Otello" at the opening season of the Paris Bastille Opera. He performed in the Spanish choreographer, Blanca Li's "The Garden of Earthly Delights".

French television aired "Jeff d’orchestre" during several years, a show written and presented by Jeff Cohen which introduced music to children. He also composes original music for feature films, plays, and dance pieces.

Mr. Cohen resides in Paris and is currently professor of "mélodie" and "Lied" at the Conservatoire National as well as the Académie de l’Opéra de Paris. In 2019 Jeff Cohen was named Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres by the French government.