No artist has contributed more to the 20th century musical canon than Leonard Cohen, he of the inimitably grave, gravelly voice and heart-shattering lyrical passage. At the age of 78, the singer-songwriter, novelist and dapper gent remains a vibrant presence on record and on the road, touring in support of his latest disc, 2012’s Old Ideas.

Leonard Cohen plays the Mahalia Jackson Theater on March 28.

Nothing about Cohen feels old, though. With their slow burns of sorrow, black humor and beauty, songs such as “I’m Your Man,” “Everybody Knows,” “Waiting for the Miracle” and the ubiquitous soundtrack goto “Hallelujah” are masterpieces of language and emotion. A weary but resolute truth-teller in a time of wannabes, Cohen is ageless.

When I saw him perform in December 2010, his staggering, subtle charisma held the audience rapt for three hours. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee crooned, cracked wise, knelt and offered up the most sensual of poetry akin to prayer. He also delighted, in his uniquely droll way, in the near capacity crowd whom he addressed repeatedly as “friends’’—an entertainer never more on his game, nor more gracious and engaging.

Modern hymns like “Suzanne,” “A Thousand Kisses Deep” and “Sisters of Mercy” are as delicate as they are devastating, self-contained narratives of rage and desire and joy and fear and resignation doomed to struggle to coexist. All the superlatives are justified. See for yourself March 28.