Watch Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks & Bill Frisell Perform Leonard Cohen Tribute With National Symphony Orchestra

Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks and Bill Frisell were among an all-star roster of musicians who joined the National Symphony Orchestra in concert honoring Leonard Cohen. The two-night (Friday, April 26 and Saturday, April 27) Here It Is: A Tribute To Leonard Cohen concert series also saw performances by Madison Cunningham, Ben Folds, Don Henley, Gregory Porter and Trisha Yearwood.

The NSO was conducted by Vince Mendoza and accompanied by upright bassist Scott Colley, pianist Paul Cornish, pedal steel guitarist Greg Leisz, drummer Kendrick Scott and alto saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins. Cohen’s longtime friend, Larry Klein, who produced the all-star 2022 tribute album Here It Is: A Tribute To Leonard Cohen, served as music director for the Kennedy Center concerts.

Leonard Cohen died in 2016 at age 82. The beloved Canadian singer-songwriter wrote many popular songs, including his often covered standout “Hallelujah.” Cohen was honored with induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The Here It Is: A Tribute To Leonard Cohen program saw Tedeschi – who was without her guitar – singing Leonard Cohen’s “Anthem,” “Steer Your Way” and “Bird On The Wire,” while Trucks and Frisell accompanied the NSO on electric guitar. Trucks and Frisell stuck around to support Eagles’ frontman Don Henley and — on Friday night — Trisha Yearwood, as well.

View audience-shot videos from Here It Is: A Tribute to Leonard Cohen below: