27 Jan 2012... A new blog entry about the creativity/lifestyle challenge I am doing. 30 days of simplicity and focus, called the 30 Hands Challenge.
27 Jan 2012... Three of us (myself, Ida Jo and Mike Droho) have been recording a new project (pictured above) that we are calling Bello. The songs are pure and the harmony singing is rich and plentiful. I cannot say any more about it right now, but as soon as the recordings are finished we will announce some concerts and a release date. Stay tuned!
20 Jan 2012... Last night was the beginning of a new era for Chants, the electronic alter-ego of drummer/percussionist extraordinaire Jordan Cohen. With a new album coming out on the Dutty Artz label in April, we played live at The Frequency in Madison (pictured above). That is me on the left and Jordan on the right. More live shows soon!
17 Jan 2012... Boredom is not the end but the beginning of creativity. Only a quiet mind can hear the ripples of inner ideas. My new blog post: Beyond Boredom.
12 Jan 2012... Namaste is an Indian word that signifies respect of the self and of others. We say it at the end of every yoga practice. It is a powerful word. My new blog post.
2 Jan 2012... I have been appointed to Madison's Overture Community Advisory Board. It is an honor, and I look forward to serving the city and community to the best of my ability.
31 Dec 2011... I just returned from our first cast workshop of NEVERLAND with Crossroads Repertory Theatre. The cast is very talented and funny. Andy's script got lots of laughs. Thanks to all! Now to work on rewrites and revisions.
29 Dec 2011... A couple of days with Nick Gage working on the new musical for StarKid. I don't want to reveal too much just yet, but I will say that the music is a cross between Survivor and Kenny Loggins. All synthesizers, all over-the-top. Lots of energy and laughs.
28 Dec 2011... Here is a fantastic essay by Roger Ebert (the film critic) about a 12 year old musical prodigy. Ebert talks about abstract ideas, chess, and the power of the mind. Beautiful stuff.
26 Dec 2011... 77 Square named Ida Jo's Singer In the Band (pictured above) one of the top 10 albums of 2011! Read the article here.
5 Dec 2011... Here is a new video entitled Chants Is the Future. Chants is an electronic collaboration between Jordan Cohen, myself and a few other musicians. Chants is set to release a new EP in the next few months on the Dutty Artz label. Stay tuned.
28 Nov 2011... Just posted a new blog entry: A Culture of Accord.
28 Nov 2011... Listening to A History of Music in Western Civilization. It covers western music from 1100 to the present. Each era has a different lecturer. Very interesting stuff.
24 Nov 2011... Happy Thanksgiving! I am thankful for family and friends who support me and each other. I am thankful for plentiful food and water. I am thankful for a life filled with music and imagination. I am thankful for my health. Best wishes to all!
23 Nov 2011... Holiday Fantasea opens Friday at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. I wrote and arranged some music for the live instrumental trio in the show. It was very interesting to make music to support live animals. WGN ran a story on the new show here. Pictured above is the Dolphin Interaction section of the show where a trainer is one on one in the water with a dolphin. You can see the trainer and the dolphin in the lower left of the picture and on the big screen in the middle. On the right hand side is the musical trio, standing on a rock in the water and playing the new song It’s the Holidays (and I am Home).
22 Nov 2011... Kindred (pictured above) was awarded “Best Documentary Short” at the Illinois International Film Festival. Congratulations to writer and director Michael Sternoff! The film tells the powerful story of a young woman’s fight with cervical cancer.
03 Oct 2011... Andrew Park and I recently wrote an adaptation of the Peter Pan story called Neverland. It was selected by Indiana State University for performance by their troupe next summer. We are very excited to continue workshopping and editing Neverland. The story is still evolving and growing.
12 Sep 2011... We just finished Anthony Lamarr’s new album Intermission: The Learning Never Stops (pictured above). It is the follow-up to last year’s Opening Night: A Symphony From Sorrow. Intermission features guest appearances by several Madison area artists including Beth Kille, Anna Vogelzang, Shawndell Marks and many others.
24 Aug 2011... Ida Jo’s new album Singer In the Band (pictured above) is now available. We recorded this spring. Lots of roomy vocals and instruments on this one. And lots of odd time signatures and ferocious grooves. I guarantee you have never heard anything like this one.
02 Feb 2011... The Four Seasons opens this weekend and runs for the next six weeks at Chicago’s Quest Theatre Ensemble. It is the fourth theatrical collaboration between myself and playright Andrew Park. The Four Seasons tells the story of an old man’s memory and life - from his childhood to his marriage to his own family. Along with Quest’s spectacular sets and puppetry, the music is lieder-inspired.
