Ryan Cohan Quartet Warmly Embraced in Belarus

Ryan Cohan Quartet

The Ryan Cohan Quartet, a prominent, Chicago-based jazz band, enjoyed great success during its Belarusian tour from March 1-7, 2009.  The quartet gave concerts to full houses at the Minsk Philharmonic Society, the Goodwin Blues Club and the Borisov Music School’s Concert Hall.  More than 500 students and faculty members participated in a series of master classes at the Borisov Music School, the Belarusian State University of Culture and Arts, the Belarusian State Academy of Music and the Minsk Music College.  All audiences were enchanted by the musicians’ performance, storming the stage afterwards with questions and spontaneously requesting opportunities to play with the band.   The Ryan Cohan Quartet came to Belarus as a part of “The Rhythm Road: American Music Abroad” program, which was co-produced by “Jazz at Lincoln Center”, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and Embassy Minsk.

The Ryan Cohan Quartet jamming with Belarusian musicians at the Goodwin Club in Minsk (March 5, 2009)