Lockdown Session #3. This is an original tune by pianist Chris Rutkowski, called "Contrafaction" (©2020 Chris Rutkowski, ASCAP). A contrafact is a new melody written on the harmonic structure of another existing piece, usually a well-known standard. In this case, the existing tune is Charlie Parker's jazz classic, "Confirmation", and what is maintained is not the harmonic structure (which is significantly altered), but the rhythmic shape of the melody, which then responds to the altered harmony. None of these inside jokes is very important, however, only whether it swings.
Rich Cohen, sax
Chris Rutkowski, piano
Jesse Wittman, bass
Cassius Goens III, drums
The Lockdown Sessions
Click on a track to watch:
- #1. Rob's Thing
- #2. Mr. E. C.
- #3: Contrafaction
- #4: Petrovsky Swings
- #5: Slow Waltz
The Phoenix Sessions
Click on a track to watch:
- #1. Copacetic
At the legendary Chatterbox in Indianapolis, IN
The Cohen-Rutkowski Project
The Lockdown/Phoenix Sessions
During the COVID-19 Lockdown, the Cohen-Rutkowski Project began a series of video performances of the band's original material. The first part was recorded at the height of the pandemic-The Lockdown Sessions. As the vaccines rolled out, the second part began-The Phoenix Sessions. The series serves many purposes, but one of the most important is as a rehearsal for the Project's upcoming recording of its first album. If you'd like to contribute to that end, please do so at our Venmo: www.venmo.com/Cohenrutkowski
The Cohen-Rutkowski Project is a high-energy acoustic jazz ensemble combining a large proportion of original compositions with classic pieces from the tradition. Listeners have drawn comparisons to the compositionally-oriented Dave Brubeck group, groovy hard-bop groups such as The Jazz Messengers as well as genre-expanders like the Roy Hargrove Quintet. The band regularly performs at Merriman's Playhouse (South Bend) and in concert venues such as the Indy Jazz Fest, The Penrod Art Fair, the Jazz Kitchen, the Indianapolis Central Library, the Indianapolis Artsgarden, and the Carmel Clay Public Library.
Listen to the Music here
Contact us here for bookings and inquiries!
