Cohran grew up in St. Louis, Missouri and played trumpet in bands led by Jay McShann in the early 1950s, and then in a U.S. Navy band.
He was introduced to the Sun Ra Arkestra by John Gilmore in 1959. His tenure in the Arkestra was documented on records such as Fate In A Pleasant Mood and Angels and Demons at Play. While most of Cohran's contributions were on trumpet, some also show his interest in stringed instruments such as zithers.
When the Arkestra moved from Chicago in 1961, Cohran declined to accompany them. In 1965 he participated in the formation of the AACM. Cohran formed the Artistic Heritage Ensemble with Pete Cosey, future members of the Earth, Wind and Fire horn section and "Master" Henry Gibson (the Motown house percussionist) among others. By this time, he was playing the harp as well as cornet, as well as other brass instruments, such as the french horn, baritone saxophone and percussion. On the Beach is an available recording which documents their music around 1967-68.
Early in his career he invented an instrument he calls the Frankiphone, aka the Space Harp heard on some of Sun Ra's early albums. The instrument is actually an electrified mbira or kalimba. This instrument inspired Maurice White to use an electrified Kalimba in performance with Earth, Wind and Fire. Cohran states he taught Maurice and his brothers music in their youth, much like The Wailers were tutored by Joe Higgs. On the Beach documents their work during those early years and features the Frankiphone on the title track, as well as a piece called "New Frankiphone Blues".
Cohran's sons make up eight of the nine members of Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, a brass ensemble consisting of 4 trumpets, 2 trombones, 1 euphonium, a sousaphone and drums. Cohran presently teaches voice and music to inner city youth and adults at Northeastern Illinois University's Center for Inner City Studies.
Discography
As leader
On the Beach (1968)
Spanish Suite (1968) Katalyst / Tizona
Armageddon (Conceived in1958 and written down in 1963 performed in 1968) Katalyst / Tizona
The Malcolm X Memorial (1968)
African Skies (1993, Captcha Records) as 'Kelan Phil Cohran And Legacy'
Single (2007)
As sideman
With Sun Ra
Interstellar Low Ways (1959)
Ranking up there with the best of Kelan Philip Cohran's recordings, African Skies is a beautiful cosmic jazz masterpiece utilizing mostly acoustic instruments such as harps, flutes, upright bass, francophone, bowed piccolo bass, and trumpet with some occasional ensemble and solo vocals. It was recorded live in 1993 at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago as a memorial tribute to Cohran's former mentor, bandmate and friend Sun Ra, who had just passed away.
Theme
Kelan Phil Cohran and Legacy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A legacy in light
The time has come to take what was rightfully ours
We're gonna burn it down
The beasts can't stop us now
Can you feel it stirring in the wind
Warriors
Forever warriors
We are
The opening lines of the song "Theme" by Kelan Phil Cohran and Legacy evoke a sense of continuity and tradition that stretches back to the very beginning of human history. This legacy of light is something that has been passed down from generation to generation, and now it is up to the current generation to claim what is rightfully theirs. This message is imbued with a sense of urgency and determination, as the singers declare that they are going to "burn it down" and nothing can stop them, not even the beasts.
The repeated use of the word "warriors" emphasizes the sense of strength and courage that is necessary to complete this important task. However, the use of the word "ancient" also suggests that this is not a new fight, but rather one that has been waged for centuries. This brings to mind the struggles of various marginalized groups throughout history, such as African Americans fighting for their civil rights. The final line of the song, "Forever warriors we are," reinforces the idea that this fight will never truly be over, and that the legacy of light will continue to be passed down to future generations.
Line by Line Meaning
Since the dawn of time
From the very beginning of existence
A legacy in light
A tradition of enlightenment
The time has come to take what was rightfully ours
It's time to claim what belongs to us
We're gonna burn it down
We will destroy anything that stands in our way
The beasts can't stop us now
No obstacle or enemy can impede our progress
Can you feel it stirring in the wind
Do you sense the excitement and anticipation in the atmosphere?
Warriors
Fighters who courageously strive for their goals
Ancient warriors
Warriors who have existed for centuries
Forever warriors
Warriors who will always persist in their battles
We are
These are the attributes that define us
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Samuel Jones
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@keithrjackson
This is not just a song. It is an incantation.
@truthrights6140
U stole my thunder, in other words I agree with you
@truthrights6140
Exotic, b a GOOD 1 to smoke to, if I still did.