In collaboration with pianist Tad Weed, Estar Cohen has lyricized the compositions of the late pianist, Herbie Nichols. Perhaps best known for his writing of the standard, “Lady Sings The Blues,” Nichols’ work has been deemed widely ahead of his time. The Freedom Ensemble brings these rare and brilliant pieces to life in a captivating new light.

"Tad Weed is a powerhouse of a pianist who recently relocated from Los Angeles to the Midwest. Tad’s discography includes over a dozen CD’s, and he has performed with some of the greatest names in jazz including John Patitucci, Mundell Lowe, Carmen McCrae, Charles Lloyd and Woody Herman. His artistically rich and diverse background allows him to command a wide range of styles, from Be Bop to the Blues, and from Funk to the Avant Garde. He has played concerts, clubs, television and radio around the world, in such exotic places as Brazil and China, as well as Holland, England, France, Germany and Finland. Some of his more noteworthy appearances include Carnegie Hall, The Concord Jazz Festival, The Boston Globe Jazz Festival at Symphony Hall, The Kool Jazz Festival and The Berlin Radio Festival. Tad is also in demand as an educator and has given clinics with Bill Walrous, Bobby Shew, Jerome Richardson, Don Menza, George Shearing and Bud Shank throughout the USA."  http://tadweed.wordpress.com/