Elijah Cole is a guitarist, author, and educator based in Philadelphia, and heard around the world.

His career serves as the blueprint for the modern-day guitarist: seamlessly moving between a variety of styles and contexts, all while maintaining an original and compelling sound on the instrument. Whether on the road backing top jazz, R&B, and acoustic artists, or performing locally in Philadelphia with his own projects, Elijah is proving himself to be a rising-star voice in the modern guitar scene.

Besides his work as a performer, Elijah is a dedicated educator and author: he is an Adjunct Professor of Jazz Studies at Temple University, and recently released his first book, 10 Things You Can Do To Get Better At Music, available now via Hal Leonard. He also teaches weekly seminars for Open Studio Jazz, and maintains a small private studio of dedicated guitar students.

2025 was a breakout year for Elijah Cole: three European tours, the release of his first solo album, and performances on stages from NAMM in Los Angeles to Ronnie Scott’s in London. And he’s just getting started.

Elijah released his debut album Universe of One in June of 2025, an exploration of solo acoustic guitar music. Drawing from a wide range of influences and genres, the album paints a compelling portrait of one of the most exciting young guitarists on the scene today.

In May of 2025, Elijah was invited to record a series of videos in collaboration with Yamaha Synthesizers in Berlin, Germany. Elijah was able to sign as an Influential Partner with Yamaha Music USA following the recording of these videos.

Elijah’s next album, Second Nature, is scheduled for release in early 2027 via Steeplechase Records. It is an organ trio project featuring the all-star rhythm section of Pat Bianchi and Byron Landham.

Biography

Elijah got his start in the Washington DC area where he grew up, working from the young age of 14 in the city’s vibrant music scene. He was mentored by DC icons Paul Carr, Chuck Underwood, and Michael Bowie, who helped nurture his growth and guide his progress throughout his high school years. He moved to Philadelphia at 18 to study at Temple University’s Boyer College of Music, where he earned a jazz performance degree in 3 years. During his time at Temple, he was fortunate to study under guitarists Peter Bernstein and Mike Moreno. 

Elijah maintains a busy schedule as a leader and a sideman. He has shared the stage with a wide range of notable musicians, including Jumaane Smith, Laurin Talese, Jeff Bradshaw, Tom Browne, Jake Eddy, Terell Stafford, SNACKTIME, Eric Wortham, Justin Faulkner, Byron Landham, Jermaine Dolly, Warren Wolf, Grace Bowers, George “Spanky” McCurdy, Mark Whitfield, Charity, and Dana Hawkins. Elijah tours regularly, having performed in over 25 different cities across the United States and Europe in 2025 alone.

In addition to his performance and recording work, Elijah enjoys sharing the gift of music with his private students. He has over a decade of experience working with students across a wide range of musical styles, and maintains a private teaching studio in Philadelphia, as well as virtually. He teaches a weekly seminar for Open Studio Jazz, and recently taught at the California Coast Music Camp and Puget Sound Guitar Workshop. Reach out to Elijah here for inquiries related to teaching/masterclass opportunities.