New Release, "A Prayer, For Tad"

Music can serve us at different moments for very different reasons.

This composition and recording is dedicated to my late mentor, pianist Tad Weed, who passed in 2018.

released August 6, 2021
Music and Lyrics by Estar Cohen

Estar Cohen - Vocals, Music & Lyrics
Jordan Anderson - Piano
Aidan Cafferty - Bass
Travis Aukerman - Drums

The year following Tad’s passing, I could not bring myself to engage with music in a meaningful way. At the time, “meaningful” meant opening myself to a vulnerable, focused space (some refer to this as “the space”). During this period, I performed some. I listened to very little music outside of work.

In 2019, I was asked to join an ensemble paying tribute to Tad at the Edgefest in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The band was Andrew Bishop, Bob Sweet, Ken Filiano, Vinny Golia, and the late Gary Schunk.
From my understanding, Ken, Vinny, and Tad went back a ways. I was fortunate to hang/play with them a couple of years prior when Tad was leading his Freedom Ensemble at the same festival.

I recognized the specialness of having another opportunity to connect with Tad’s creative/kindred spirits. But, to be honest, I felt a sort of dread beforehand. I didn’t feel capable of entering “the space” required of the music.

I had all the bases covered to say no. I was still recovering from an appendectomy. If It had been a few days earlier, I wouldn’t have had a choice. Yet, the invitation came in that window of time where I felt the pull to make it happen.

In the years before his passing, I was lucky enough to work with Tad on lyricizing some of his music. I even got to sing these tunes with him on a handful of occasions. Point is, it was hard to re-visit. I felt like I had been sat down in front of a mirror to stare down my grief.

In rehearsal, we checked out one of Tad’s tunes I hadn’t heard before. When we played it on our set, it was like something in me broke wide open. The piece was called “A Prayer.” I don’t have a religion (and no, my religion is not “music” or “art” or anything like that). But man, being there with the band, seeing the sheet music…it was like hearing his voice again. It was asking me to use my own.

The next day, I wrote this tune and recorded it a few days after that. I’ve held onto it for a while, worried about my own vocal imperfections from the session. There’s a real selfishness in that. The fact remained; these artists gave me their time, their creative life force. I asked them to venture with me to “that space,” the one I was so reluctant to return to on my own. And man, what came of it is beautiful. It’s time to let go and share this moment with whoever wants to hear it.

With love,
Estar

lyrics

Lyrics

There's a sound that brings you nearer
When I open up to hear
And it sounds just like a prayer
When the music suddenly appears

There are years I spend in silence
As I mourn forgotten words
But, now I hear that simple prayer
That often goes unheard

credits

Recorded on October 25, 2019
Engineered, Mix and Master by Eric Sills
Stone Soup Recording Studios in Maumee, OH

Photo by Derek Juntunen

New York Youth Symphony First Music Commission Series, Honorable Mention, Jazz Category, 2020

Chaired by Arturo O’Farrill, a pianist, composer, and founder of Afro-Latin Jazz Organization, and included Roxy Coss, Darcy James Argue, Pedro Giraudo, and Andy Clausen.

First Shows of 2021

Two shows with the Estar Cohen Project

Wednesday, August 25 // third place fest // Ann Arbor, MI

Thursday, September 16 // Ziggy’s // Ypsilanti, MI

Third Place Music Festival

Excited to announce my first shows since March 2020. First - the Third Place Music Festival in Ann Arbor, MI. Join us on Wednesday, August 25th at 6pm, outdoors at Vertex Coffee Roasters. Festival passes range from $20-$70, or purchase an individual ticket at the door for $3, $5, or $10 (you choose).

The band will feature Dan Palmer (guitar), Aidan Cafferty (bass), Travis Aukerman (drums)

Music at Ziggy’s

Same band, second gig! We’ll be playing outdoors in the alley at Ziggy’s in Ypsilanti on Thursday, September 16 from 7:30pm-9:30pm. Thursday nights at Ziggy’s has been a fantastic hang to hear local musicians. They also have a huge selection of craft beer and non-alcoholic beverages. Join us while the weather lasts!