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| Ryan Cohan's New CD On October 16, 2007, Motema, one of the industry's new leading independent labels, will release One Sky, pianist/composer/arranger Ryan Cohan's follow up recording to his highly praised sophomore release, Here and Now (Sirocco Jazz, UK). One Sky, recorded immediately after sold-out shows at Chicago's historic venue, The Green Mill, features Ryan Cohan in the esteemed company of Bob Sheppard on saxophones and flute, James Cammack on double bass, Tito Carrillo on trumpet, and Cohan's exciting working quartet featuring saxophonist Geof Bradfield, bassist Lorin Cohen, and drummer Kobie Watkins. Ryan Cohan's Quartet was recently chosen by a panel led by Wynton Marsalis for the 2007-08 Rhythm Road: American Music Abroad program (click here for more information). One Sky was recorded immediately after sold-out shows at Chicago's historic venue, The Green Mill. The centerpiece of One Sky is Cohan's freshly penned suite, “One Sky: Tone Poems For Humanity,” which premiered in July 2006 at Skidmore College's Bernhard Theatre, grew out of a commission from Chamber Music America New York, as part of their prestigious and highly-competitive “New Works: Creation and Presentation” Grant. This ambitious extended composition is complemented by four new Cohan originals and a brilliant, masterful solo piano rendering of Billy Strayhorn's “Lush Life.” Ryan has played with Freddie Hubbard, Milt Hinton, Jon Faddis, Curtis Fuller, Regina Carter, Andy Bey, Kurt Elling, Kent Jordan, Michael Urbaniak, Pat La Barbera, Ed Shaughnessey among many others. Cohan is a member of renowned trumpeter Orbert Davis' various ensembles (since 1995), including the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic. He has toured the world with Davis and is also featured on his video release, With Strings Attached, and his two most recent CD releases, Priority and Blue Notes. 2003 marked Cohan's film scoring debut, composing and producing the soundtrack to the independent short film, Dog Walker. In early 2007 he also completed the score to his first full-length film project, Tapioca, starring Ben Vereen. Ryan Cohan's relationship with NEA Jazz Master, and fellow pianist, Ramsey Lewis began in late 1997 when Cohan contributed four compositions, including the title track, for Lewis' GRP release Dance Of The Soul. Their collaborations continued with Cohan touring with Lewis and with his work as the primary arranger on Lewis' Appassionata (Narada Jazz), named “Jazz Album of the Year” in Billboard Magazine's first annual music awards in 2000. Cohan's writing skills were also tapped for Lewis' following releases, Meant To Be (Narada Jazz), featuring Nancy Wilson, and The Very Best of Ramsey Lewis (GRP). Most recently, Cohan composed the theme song to The Legends of Jazz TV program hosted by Ramsey, and was commissioned to write the arrangements for Lewis' upcoming solo piano recording. write your comments about the article :: © 2007 Jazz News :: home page |