Ryan Cohan - Originations (CD)

Originations surely places Cohan in the first rank of contemporary jazz composers. -Chicago Tribune. Dynamically synthesizing classical compositional elements and improvisation, with Middle Eastern and other World music influences, pianist/composer Ryan Cohan's Originations builds on his five critically acclaimed recordings from the last two decades. Born from a trip to Jordan where he discovered his paternal family homeland, the experience catalyzed Cohan to seek out his Palestinian roots for the first time. His reawakened Arab lineage together with his Jewish upbringing was transformative as he contemplated the rich beauty and profound cultural complexities from a musical perspective. Scored for his long-standing Chicago sextet plus string quartet, Originations is a natural progression for him as a musical storyteller as such motifs were a central catalyst in his lauded earlier recordings. Featuring: John Wojciechowski, Geof Bradfield, Tito Carrillo, James Cammack, and Michael Raynor, along with percussionist Omar Musfi and the KAIA String Quartet. "Very intelligent writing. Void of predictability from beginning to end & hellip;" & ndash; Jae Sinnett, WHRV