The Secret Chord
A one of a kind tribute band experience
Renowned Artists Who Have Covered Leonard Cohen songs
[Leonard Cohen’s] gift or genius is in his connection to the music of the spheres.
— Bob Dylan
Sting
KD Lang
Elvis Costello
Bob Seger
Lana del Rey
Jennifer Warnes
Bob Dylan
R.E.M.
Nick Cave
John Cale
The Pixies
Judy Collins
Rufus Wainwright
Kate & Anna McGarrigle
Laurie Anderson
Elton John
The Chieftains
Billy Joel
Peter Gabriel
Bono
Phil Collins
Don Henley
Trisha Yearwood
Tori Amos
Aaron Neville
Willie Nelson
Suzanne Vega
Jeff Buckley
Nina Simone
Aimee Mann
Joe Cocker
Madeleine Peyroux
Emmylou Harris
David Gilmour
Johnny Cash
Concrete Blond
Roberta Flack
Ron Sexsmith
Bette Midler
Michael Buble
The Lemonheads
Buffy Sainte-Marie
Nirvana
Beck
Ian McCulloch
Mama Cass
Norah Jones
Sarah McLachlan
Peter Gabriel
James Taylor
Iggy Pop
Gregory Porter
Luciana Souza
Mavis Staples
Lou Reed
Brandi Carlile
Renée Fleming
Neil Diamond
Bon Jovi
Tangerine Dream
Damien Rice
Straight No Chaser
Johnny Mathis
Pentatonix
Andrea Bocelli
Chris Botti
Klezmer Conservatory Band
The Civil Wars
The Vogues
Feist
Jackie deShannon
Tim Hardin
Rita Coolidge
Fairport Convention
Tedeschi Trucks Band
Richard Thompson
Mark Erelli
Our repertoire includes two full sets of Cohen masterworks spanning the entire 50-year range of his musical career, with musical styles ranging from folk to rock to blues and jazz ballads, and themes ranging from the tenderest love ballads to the fiercest social and political commentary.
BUT THERE IS ONLY ONE FULL-TIME LEONARD COHEN TRIBUTE BAND IN THE U.S.:
The Secret Chord
Way back in 1970, The Secret Chord’s founder attended a Leonard Cohen concert at his college – and experienced nothing less than a healing from that extraordinary music and the man who created it. Many years later, the documentary film Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, A Journey, A Song brought it all back – and inspired the birth of The Secret Chord.
We can’t re-create Cohen’s personal magic, but we can, and do — pay tribute to the man, his message, and his song — with the greatest devotion and respect, and in our own unique way.
Based in western Massachusetts, USA, The Secret Chord has played (among other places) at:
The Parlor Room, Northampton, MA (upcoming Nov. 2026)
Firehouse Center for the Arts, Newburyport, MA
Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center, Greenfield, MA
North Quabbin Garlic & Arts Festival, Orange, MA
The Luthier’s Coop, Easthampton, MA
For more music samples, please visit our home page
The Secret Chord‘s members bring to the stage close to 150 years of combined performing experience:
Guitarist and vocalist Gordon Kramer – The Secret Chord’s “Leonard” – developed his pipes singing musical theatre, and comes to the band after a long journey as singer/songwriter, choral singer, and jazz vocalist.
Singer Jody Spitz shares a background in musical theatre and choral work as well.
Singer Ruth Critcher brings years of experience as singer and vocal arranger for a number of small ensembles.
Drummer Dan Styklunas has played in original rock bands as well as jazz and world music projects, and currently plays in two different Todd Rundgren tributes as well as The Secret Chord.
Classically-trained keyboardist Jesse Sprole is perhaps more at home soloing a Chopin etude than playing with a rock band – but classical piano’s loss is absolutely The Secret Chord‘s gain!
And bassist Jeff Jacobson‘s resume reads like a Who’s Who of classic soul, R&B, pop and rock – he’s played for two U.S. Presidents and with artists including Chuck Berry, Mitch Ryder, Percy Sledge, Fabian, Martha Reeves and Leslie Gore – to name a few – and with R&B greats like The Platters and The Drifters.
Booking Inquiries
From dinner theatre to music festival to concert hall, The Secret Chord is ready! Also ask about our special presentation, How the Light Gets In, with additional emphasis on Cohen’s poetry and message of spiritual healing.
To book The Secret Chord, please email us at band@thesecretchord.band, or use the form below. To see more about The Secret Chord, please visit https://thescretchord.band – or visit our Youtube channel (see below) for more performance videos.