Sisters Folk Festival to present Hypnotic Brass Ensemble

Sisters Folk Festival will present Chicago-based hip-hop, jazz, funk and rock band Hypnotic Brass Ensemble at Sisters High School Auditorium, at 7 p.m. on Thursday, November 17.

The evening will include a workshop with the band at 4 p.m., free to students and $5 for community members in support of Sisters' middle and high school band programs.

The Hypnotic Brass Ensemble is a family band consisting of seven brothers who began their musical training at tender ages by their father, jazz-trumpeter/bandleader Kelan Phil Cohran (Earth, Wind & Fire; Chaka Khan; and Sun Ra).

The boys went on to form the Phil Cohran Youth Ensemble in 1990. The family toured the United States performing complex originals written by Cohran and other greats such as Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and even the music of classical greats Bach & Beethoven. Although the group's early musical training encompassed primarily elements of instrumental performance, the brothers were personally being exposed to the music of their own generation (hip-hop, rock, reggae to name a few) and absorbed these components into the cosmic jazz style of their father.

By 1999, the band of brothers discontinued playing with dad in order to find their own sound, growing into the band now known as Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, or HBE.

"As an organization, we are excited to expand our musical palette to include presenting a compelling, cutting-edge horn-driven jazz, hip-hop and funk band," said Brad Tisdel, SFF's creative director.

"We are supportive of all music education in the Sisters schools, and this is a way for us to partner with the band programs to support their musical efforts and to give the kids an opportunity to work with a contemporary, working band who bring fresh material to our kids that they can relate to.

Our hope out of the workshop is our kids will get a chance to join HBE onstage for a performance of 'War,' their song on 'The Hunger Games.' The band also performs in the spirit of unity, community, family, and love - and we can always use more of that," says

Those interested in participating in the workshop should plan to arrive by 3:45 p.m. and go straight to the auditorium. Questions regarding the workshop should be directed to Tylor Cranor, Sisters High School director of bands, at 541-549-2099.

Tickets for SFF Presents: Hypnotic Brass Ensemble are $15 adults, $10 for students, and can be purchased at www.sistersfolkfestival.org/tickets, or call the festival office at 541-549-4979.

The concert starts at 7 p.m.