Joel Cohen was an American musician who specialized in early music, born on 29 May 1942. He studied at Harvard University and furthered his training in Europe, particularly in France, where he also worked with national public radio on early music projects. From 1968 to 2008 he was music director of the Boston Camerata, and music director emeritus from 2008 until his death. He founded the Camerata Mediterranea ensemble in 1990. He died in Haverhill, Massachusetts, on 26 July 2026, aged 84.

From 1992 onward he and the Boston Camerata collaborated with the Shaker community at Sabbathday Lake, recording two albums of Shaker songs, Simple Gifts and The Golden Harvest. He recorded over 50 albums on the Erato, Nonesuch and Harmonia Mundi labels. He produced recordings themed around historical, cultural or religious concepts, such as A Mediterranean Christmas, Carmina Burana and The American Vocalist. He often blended music with storytelling. He promoted historically-informed performances in the United States.

Sources:

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joel_Cohen_(musician)
• https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6213319