THIS WORLD
THIS WORLD is a trio of accomplished, gutsy musicians playing a rich and original combination of classic rock sounds and rhythms, world music, and hymn-like harmonies. LEE KOHLER'S classical training, ROB KOHLER'S jazz experience, and MARK RAYNE'S multicultural percussion set-up interact to create an honestly distinct music.
Started as IN FLIGHT in 1985 by Lee Kohler and Robi Johns, the trio was escalated to international acclaim when they were asked to perform at the 1989 Montreux Jazz Festival. Johns left the band soon afterward, and the Kohler brothers reformed it with drummer Michael Blessing in 1995. Three decades after their formation, the band is still going strong, having just released their latest album, Celestial Skies, in 2013.
Started as IN FLIGHT in 1985 by Lee Kohler and Robi Johns, the trio was escalated to international acclaim when they were asked to perform at the 1989 Montreux Jazz Festival. Johns left the band soon afterward, and the Kohler brothers reformed it with drummer Michael Blessing in 1995. Three decades after their formation, the band is still going strong, having just released their latest album, Celestial Skies, in 2013.
Lee Kohler- Lead Vocals, Keyboards, Guitar
Lee Kohler is an accomplished classical pianist and organist, evident in his composing and playing, in which he combines tradition with a sound distinctly his own. Lee's lyrics reflect a spiritual sensibility without being dogmatic or sentimental; they are haunting and sparse. In 1989, he led a similar trio, In Flight, with brother Rob to the Montreux Music Festival in Switzerland. His resume ranges from being an Artist-in-Residence for the Montana Arts Council to accompanying major artists in the Community Concert Series across the state. He holds a degree in classical piano performance and works as a church organist in the Bay Area, performing original compositions.
Rob Kohler- Bass, Guitar, Back up Vocals
Rob Kohler is a bassist who has performed jazz, classical, and pop music all over the world. In addition to This World, he has played with the Jared Burrows Trio, the Olem Alves Band, Three Form, Inner Limits, and the Platt/Kohler Trio. Rob is a regular performer at the Bozeman Bass Bash in his native Montana and has also toured and performed with such artists as Taylor Eigsti, Julian Lage, Dana Leong, Stefan Karlsson, Alice DiMicele, Madeline Eastman, Jeff Ballard, John Stowell, Danny Gottlieb, Nancy King, Brian Bromberg, and Art Lande. In addition to his amazing performing skills, Kohler has had a long and successful career as a private tutor and school music teacher. He is currently based in Los Angeles, California and also works in San Francisco with the Stanford Jazz Workshop as a faculty member and administrator.