• Genre :: Jazz
• Listen :: Monk'n Around
• View :: Band Website | Ryan Cohan's Blog | Geof's Bradfield's MySpace | Kobie Watkin's MySpace | Photos from Butare, Africa
• download :: HiRes Image

The Ryan Cohan Quartet constantly searches for new musical territory to explore while remaining deeply rooted in jazz and blues traditions. Conversant in a variety of world-music styles and rhythms, the Chicago-based quartet has distinguished itself on major stages throughout the U.S. and Canada by balancing dynamic and tight ensemble playing with explosive, expressive solos.

Ryan Cohan (piano/composer), a graduate of DePaul University, has performed with master jazz artists including Freddie Hubbard, Jon Faddis, Curtis Fuller and Kurt Elling, in addition to releasing two albums of original work. He penned the theme for Ramsey Lewis' PBS TV series, The Legends of Jazz, as well as, compositions for three of Lewis' albums. Cohan has served on the faculty of the New York Summer School of Arts program and works as a clinician at high schools and universities across the country. Chamber Music America awarded Cohan their New Works: Creation and Presentation Program grant in 2005 for a suite that will be the centerpiece of his upcoming recording, One Sky. Cohan's first feature-length film score, Tapioca, is also due out in 2007.

Geof Bradfield (saxophone) attended the renowned High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston, Texas before earning a bachelor's degree from Chicago's DePaul University and a master's degree from California Institute of the Arts. Bradfield has had the opportunity to perform with numerous jazz luminaries and rising stars including Lonnie Smith, Lionel Hampton, Albert "Tootie" Heath, Arturo Sandoval, The Bad Plus, Avishai Cohen and dancer Savion Glover. He also leads his own critically acclaimed group, Rule of Three. Bradfield currently resides in Chicago, Illinois and teaches at Columbia College.

Lorin Cohen (bass) began playing electric bass at age 14 and later studied with pioneering bass guitarist Anthony Jackson at the Manhattan School of Music. Cohen learned the double bass under the tutelage of Joe Guastefeste, Chicago University’s principal bassist, Larry Gray and with the late master Ray Brown. In 2004 Cohen toured Southeast Asia extensively under the auspices of the U.S. Department of State. He has performed with many jazz luminaries including Monty Alexander, Von Freeman, Andy Bey, Houston Person, Ernie Andrews and Bobby Broom.

Kobie Watkins (percussion) has been called the "Swing Master of Chicago" and lauded as both a teacher and jazz musician. From a toddler playing pots and pans to a teacher in Chicago's public schools, Watkins has dedicated his life to music. He received a Bachelor of Music Education from Vandercook College of Music and holds a Master of Music degree in Jazz Pedagogy from Northwestern University. Watkins has played and recorded with legends Sonny Rollins, Curtis Fuller, Arturo Sandoval, Sonny Fortune, Willie Pickens, Kim Burrell and currently works with Kurt Elling.