“Cozens was a generous leader, with a perpetual groove and engaging compositional narratives” Down Beat magazine (USA) - Sean O’conell

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Quoted in the New York Times ​in the article "5 minutes that will make you love South African Jazz" explaining his love for the I IV V variations in the music and expressing the emotions it conveys and what it means to so many. 

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Cozens graduate from the University of Bergen in Norway with a masters degree in music and is currently Adjunct Faculty member at New York University Abu Dhabi. A multi-instrumentalist with roots in improvised music from South Africa. His first loved instrument is the piano, playing solo piano concerts more and more regularly. This adding more depth and nuance to his drumming.  

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Goemarize is about creating something meaningful with minimal framework, space and boundary. "The sonic result is associated to the story about the place and environment that I come from". Goemarize is also a musical idea of arranging a melody with applying a goema rhythm as its foundation. This is a long standing tradition as a fundamental in the music of the region which shows itself in subtle ways throughout various periods and sub-genres from the Cape and the also other parts of South Africa.

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"Cozens employs sentimental melodies and goema rhythms dominant idioms in Cape jazz in beautifully creative ways. His melodies lend themselves to modal exploration; his rhythms break up and fit themselves perfectly back together like puzzle pieces. With partners Shepherd and bassist Benjamin Jephtha, Cozens uses the historic language of Cape jazz to have some very fresh conversations." - Gwen Ansell

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"Renowned for his distinctive, open-style percussive drumming technique, Cozens is at the forefront of a new generation of rising talent who, according to arts journalist, Atiyyah Khan, is trying to carve their own path in South Africa."

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“Jubileejam" (2014) is the tittle of the trios debut album recording featuring fourteen compositions. It was recorded in a live fashion capturing the improvisational nature of the music and musicians. While his music naturally reflects the rich and diverse sounds and rhythms of his home town, Cape Town and the African continent, Jazz and other modern genres, Cozens has already ventured beyond that in his quest to write his own story and carve out his own unique identity as an artist. The Claude Cozens Trio features Kyle Shepherd on piano and Benjamin Jephta on bass

 

After graduating from the University of Bergen in Norway with a masters degree in 2019 and the University of Cape Town (postgrad 2012) (undergrad 2011), Claude has expanded his performance career to include music education by working with students from all over the world who live in the United Arab Emirates. 

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Cozens’ compelling energy and drumming inventiveness has seen him perform with a wide array of artists like, Hilton Schilder, Herbie Tsoaeli, Ghazi Faisal Al Mulaifi, Jean-Michel Pilc, Mark Fransman, Feya Faku, Arturo O'Farrill, Andre Petersen, Kyle Shepherd, Bokani Dyer, Darren English, Neo Muyanga, Nduduzo Makhathini, Zoe Modiga, Buddy Wells, Keenen Ahrends, Mandla Mlangeni, Sisonke Xonti, Magne Thormodsaeter, Seigo Matsunaga, and more. During his professional career he has performed at numerous venues and major festivals in South Africa and around the world. 

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