• Genre :: Jazz
• Listen :: Monk'n Around
• View :: Band Website | Ryan Cohan's MySpace | Geof Bradfield's Blog
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Ryan Cohan Quartet constantly seeks new musical territory for exploration 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 North America by balancing dynamic and tight ensemble playing with explosive, expressive solos. Through jazz, the Ryan Cohan Quartet stimulates genuine, personal connections—the ensemble has audiences and musicians alike clapping, dancing and improvising to its fiery tunes.

The 2008-2009 Rhythm Road season will mark the ensemble’s second tour with the program—previously, the Ryan Cohan Quartet touredRwanda, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Zimbabwe and Jordan.

Ryan Cohan (piano),Chicago, Illinois resident, has led the Ryan Cohan Trio, Quartet, and Sextet since 1994. National and international club and festival appearances have included The Calgary Jazz Festival, Symphony Center, Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, The Green Mill, The Jazz Showcase, Catalinas and others.He has performed with many jazz luminaries, including Freddie Hubbard, Milt Hinton, Curtis Fuller, Jon Faddis, Paquito D'Rivera, Kurt Elling andJoe Locke.As an educator, Cohan is the Assistant Director of large and small jazz ensembles at the University of Illinois at Chicago and he has been a faculty member of the Skidmore Jazz Institute. Cohan twice received the New Works Award (2008, 2005) and the Encore Award in 2008 from Chamber Music America for his compositional work. He penned the theme for Ramsey Lewis's PBS TV series, “The Legends Of Jazz,”and has also scored music for film. Cohan attended DePaul University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in jazz performance.

Geof Bradfield (saxophone) has a diverse array of jazz teaching, recording and performance expertise. Bradfield has toured extensively throughout the United States and Europe, including appearances at the Chicago Jazz Festival, South by Southwest, Jazz in Nice and the Vienne Jazz Festival. A seasoned educator, Bradfield is a Columbia College faculty member in Chicago. He has also instructed at Washington State University, Whitworth College, the University of Idaho and Concordia College. Bradfield graduated with a master’s degree in jazz reeds from the California Institute of the Arts and he earned his BMA from DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois.

Lorin Cohen (bass), a Chicago native, is fluent in a variety of jazz, Latin and popular music styles. He has toured around the world to destinations including in Africa, Jordan, Rwanda and Southeast Asia. In addition, Cohen has toured Europe and Canada with Monty Alexander. Lorin is a recipient of the 2006 Community Arts Assistance Program Grant from the City of Chicago and the Illinois Arts Council. He is currently based in Chicago.

Kobie Watkins (drums and percussion), a Chicago native, has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to jazz music and education. He has performed with several distinguished artists in the United States, including Sonny Rollins, Curtis Fuller and Arturo Sandoval. In 2007, Watkins recorded Song and Dance & The Way I Play with Bobby Broom, as well as One Sky with Ryan Cohan. In addition, Watkins has taught at Chicago State University and Northwestern University. He has acted as a Ravinia Mentor for the Chicago Public School Jazz Scholars. Watkins earned a master’s degree in Jazz Pedagogy from Northwestern University, as well as bachelors in music education from VanderCook College of Music.