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Ryan Cohan

Throughout his critically acclaimed recordings as a leader and as a collaborator with numerous leading jazz figures and world-class ensembles, Ryan Cohan has masterfully walked the line of writer and player, proving himself time and again to be a composer of rare vision as well as a highly versatile, powerfully expressive pianist

Recognized for his “ingenuity and virtuosity” (Chicago Tribune), Cohan’s expansive oeuvre ranges from solo piano pieces to works for symphony orchestra and scores for independent films. He has produced six albums of original compositions: Real World (Real World Music); Here and Now (Sirocco Jazz); One Sky (Motéma), named one of the year’s best recordings by the Chicago Tribune and a number of jazz publications; Another Look (Motéma), hailed as “a model for modern jazz piano albums” by ICON magazine; and The River (Motéma) which features Ryan’s sixty-minute suite inspired by his travels in Africa.

Scored for an eleven-piece chamber jazz ensemble, Cohan’s latest recording Originations (Origin Records) dynamically synthesizes Middle Eastern and other world music influences, classical compositional elements and improvisation. The project received unanimous critical praise on its release including being a Downbeat Magazine Editor’s Pick and was chosen a “Best Jazz Recording of 2020” by the Chicago Tribune and other prominent global publications.

Cohan has embarked upon multiple international tours representing the U.S. Department of State in partnership with Jazz at Lincoln Center. Leading his quartet, Cohan traveled across Africa, Eastern Europe and the Middle East performing and collaborating with local musicians with the mission of fostering empathy and connection between cultures through music.

A Chicago native, Cohan has worked with such jazz luminaries and elite large ensembles as Freddie Hubbard, Randy Brecker, Joe Locke, Kurt Elling, Andy Narell, Jon Faddis, Paquito D’Rivera, Gregory Porter, Jeff Hamilton, The Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Orbert Davis’s Chicago Jazz Philharmonic and The Grant Park Symphony Orchestra with Otis Clay among others. Both as an accompanist and fronting his various ensembles, Cohan has performed at premier venues across five continents. He has collaborated extensively with Ramsey Lewis, contributing more than twenty compositions and arrangements to the late NEA Jazz Master’s recorded and live performance repertoire and penned the theme song for Lewis’s nationally syndicated television series, The Legends of Jazz, that was performed weekly by the show’s guests including Chick Corea, Dave Brubeck, Billy Taylor, George Duke, Marcus Miller, Vinnie Colaiuta, Lee Ritenour, John Pizzarelli and Jane Monheit. Cohan provided the orchestral writing for master vibraphonist Joe Locke’s recording, Wish Upon A Star (Motéma) featuring Lincoln’s Symphony Orchestra, and he was commissioned to arrange music for The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra led by Tommy Smith.

Ryan Cohan: Originations

Read "Originations" reviewed by Paul Rauch

by Paul Rauch
July 16, 2020

There is a risk in creating art that reflects in essence, one's own personal journey. What that journey reveals within the context of one life may not carry the same value to a collective audience. In the case of Chicago based composer/pianist Ryan Cohan, his explorative delve into his own bi-cultural roots as presented on his new release, Originations (Origin, 2020), would not resonate with listeners if the music itself was not thrilling. Music provides unity like no other communicative ...

Album Review

Ryan Cohan: The River

Read "The River" reviewed by Glenn Astarita

by Glenn Astarita
July 19, 2013

Looking back, there must be hundreds or perhaps thousands of album titles that designate some reference to a river, regardless of their genre. But talented pianist Ryan Cohan does impart a distinctive stylization within the grand scope of this thoroughly modern jazz oeuvre, inspired by a recent U.S. State Department-sponsored tour of East Africa, and intersected with his Chicago roots. His septet seamlessly binds soul blues, African pop, and the jazz idiom, via concise, razor-sharp arrangements, often executed with the ...

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Album Review

Ryan Cohan: Another Look

Read "Another Look" reviewed by Alex Marianyi

by Alex Marianyi
October 4, 2011

Unlike many of his past releases, Ryan Cohan's Another Look focuses heavily on group interaction and improvisation. Penning all but two of the tunes on the album, the pianist's arrangements allow his musicians maximum flexibility. That the CD's main quartet has been playing together since 2003, and was on the road for six straight weeks before this session, further adds to the group identity found on this recording. The main quartet does, indeed, make this album come ...

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Live Review

Ryan Cohan/Geof Bradfield: Chicago, IL, August 11, 2011

by Alex Marianyi
August 26, 2011

Ryan Cohan, Geof BradfieldMillennium Park Pritzker Pavilion Chicago, ILAugust 11, 2011 The heat wave broke in Chicago and, weather-wise, the night was shaping up to be one of the best all summer. African Journeys, featuring Ryan Cohan and Geof Bradfield, began as saxophonist Bradfield's group took the stage to perform his extended work, “African Flowers." Shortly after a brief musical introduction, Bradfield reminded the audience of the trip that had inspired his set and pianist ...

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Album Review

Ryan Cohan: One Sky

by J Hunter
January 9, 2008

In 2005, Ryan Cohan received a grant from Chamber Music America to create one long-form composition on a subject of his choosing. One year later, he debuted the piece during a free concert at Skidmore Jazz Institute in Saratoga Springs, New York, where he has been both student and educator. The audience heard a work of stunning scope, color, nuance and energy that night; One Sky captures that lightning in a bottle, and Cohan's liner notes give the listener a ...

Recording

Motema Music to Release Another Look from Pianist/Composer and Guggenheim Fellow Ryan Cohan

Source: Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity
August 19, 2010

Motéma Music to Release ANOTHER LOOK fromPianist/Composer & Guggenheim Fellow RYAN COHAN Available In Stores & Online On September 14, 2010 “You'll be struck by the exquisite detail of [Ryan's] writing." - Howard Reich, The Chicago Tribune Another Look CD Release Events!: September 17 & 18 @ The Green Mill (Chicago)September 19 @ Room 43 (Chicago)October 8 & 9 @ Peter Miller's (Evanston, IL)November 4-7 @ The Jazz Showcase (Chicago)December 14 @ The Chicago Cultural Center On September 14, 2010, ...
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Performance / Tour

Pianist/Composer Ryan Cohan Live at the Green Mill in Celebration of One Sky

Source: Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity
November 30, 2007

On October 16, 2007, Motema, one of the industry's new leading independent labels, proudly released One Sky, pianist/composer/arranger Ryan Cohan's follow up recording to the 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 ...
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Performance / Tour

Pianist/Composer Ryan Cohan Live at the Green Mill, November 30 + December 1

Source: Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity
November 9, 2007

Chicago-Based Pianist/Composer RYAN COHAN Live at THE GREEN MILL In Celebration of One Sky Friday & Saturday, November 30-December 1 One Sky is available in stores and online NOW (on Motema Music) “You'll be struck by the exquisite detail of [Ryan's] writing." ~ Howard Reich, The Chicago Tribune “Chicago is an underappreciated haven for great bebop pianists, something to which Ryan Cohan's new One Sky further gives credence. With his witty arrangements and blistering solo capabilities, Cohan is ...
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Performance / Tour

NYC + Chicago CD Release Celebrations for Ryan Cohan's New CD, One Sky

Source: Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity
October 15, 2007

NYC + Chicago CD Release Celebrations for RYAN COHAN'S new CD ONE SKY @ The Langston Hughes House in NYC ONE NIGHT ONLY, one set only - OCTOBER 16 @ 8:30 PM The Langston Hughes House is located at 20 E. 127th Street (between 5th & Madison) 2 blocks from Metro North and the 125th St. Stop of #2, 3 & 4, 5,& 6 IRT Lines To reserve tickets write [email protected] or ...
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Recording

Motema Music Geared up to Release "One Sky" from Chicago-Based Pianist/Composer Ryan Cohan

Source: Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity
September 4, 2007

AVAILABLE IN STORES AND ONLINE ON OCTOBER 16 On October 16, 2007, Motema, one of the industry's new leading independent labels, will proudly release One Sky, pianist/composer/arranger Ryan Cohan's follow up recording to the 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 ...
read more

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Performance / Tour

Bosendorfer New York: Series of Jazz Piano Duos, Trios, Quartets "Ryan Cohan Trio" Wednesday, April 26th 7:30 PM

Source: All About Jazz
April 24, 2006

Great Networking Jazz Event! Meet the Series Producers! Reserve a Seat NOW and Bring a CD and Business Cards! This Wednesday, April 26, 2006 “Ryan Cohan Trio" 7:30 PM

Only $35 for Concert, Austrian Wine, European Cheeses For further information and to RSVP:

[email protected] 212.684.1956 Bosendorfer New York -- Series of Jazz Piano Duos, Trios, Quartets Curated by Dr. Roberta Zlokower
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“Cohan [is] in the first rank of contemporary jazz composers.” -Chicago Tribune

“Cohan’s highly compelling masterwork... 'Originations' is striking and inviting by its very nature, with a special blend of refreshing melodies, warm instrumental tones and catchy rhythmic devices that make for an extremely pleasant listening experience.” -Downbeat Magazine (Editor’s Pick)

“Ingenious and elegant… Cohan has gone beyond the narrow definitions of genrism—creating truly universal music that reflects cross-cultural, polyphonic peace and joy. 'Originations' is singularly unique in its depth and breadth and is a charismatic and absorbing disc.” -Chicago Jazz Magazine