''This World'' (formerly known as ''In Flight'') is a band founded in 1995 by brothers
Lee Kohler and
Rob Kohler
Rob Kohler (born October 3, 1963) is an American jazz bass player, composer, educator, and author, best known as being the bassist for the band This World (band), This World and a bass instructor at the Stanford Jazz Workshop.
Early life
Raise ...
in
Bozeman, Montana
Bozeman is a city and the county seat of Gallatin County, Montana, United States. Located in southwest Montana, the 2020 census put Bozeman's population at 53,293, making it the fourth-largest city in Montana. It is the principal city of th ...
. Lee is well known as a
church organist, having performed with
The Temptations and
Bo Diddley. Rob is well known as a bassist and educator, teaching at the
Stanford Jazz Workshop since 1991 and having performed/recorded with
Danny Gottlieb,
Julian Lage,
Taylor Eigsti,
Jeff Ballard,
John Stowell
John F. Stowell (born July 30, 1950) is an American jazz guitarist, composer, author, and lecturer.
Biography
Stowell, who plays electric and acoustic guitar, was born in New York and raised in Connecticut. He had private studies with Linc ...
,
Alice Di Micele, and
Michelle Shocked.
In Flight (1985-1990)
In Flight was formed by Lee Kohler and Robi Johns at
Montana State University
Montana State University (MSU) is a Public university, public land-grant university, land-grant research university in Bozeman, Montana. It is the state's largest university. MSU offers baccalaureate degrees in 60 fields, master's degrees in 6 ...
in 1981. Lee's younger brother Rob joined the group in 1985. The trio consisted of Lee and Rob Kohler on
keyboards
Keyboard may refer to:
Text input
* Keyboard, part of a typewriter
* Computer keyboard
** Keyboard layout, the software control of computer keyboards and their mapping
** Keyboard technology, computer keyboard hardware and firmware
Music
* Musi ...
and
bass
Bass or Basses may refer to:
Fish
* Bass (fish), various saltwater and freshwater species
Music
* Bass (sound), describing low-frequency sound or one of several instruments in the bass range:
** Bass (instrument), including:
** Acoustic bass gui ...
respectively, and was led by Robi Johns on
guitar. They enjoyed considerable success in Montana, including many sold out shows all over the state and considerable Radio and TV play. In 1989 they were invited to perform at the
Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. An album, '' ...Imagine A Music '' was recorded at The Music Source in
Seattle in 1986 (the same studio where
Nirvana would first record with
Dave Grohl
David Eric Grohl (born January 14, 1969) is an American musician. He is the founder of the rock band Foo Fighters, in which he is the lead singer, guitarist, and principal songwriter. Prior to forming Foo Fighters, he was the drummer of gru ...
in 1991) and released on
cassette
Cassette may refer to:
Technology
* Cassette tape (or ''musicassette'', ''audio cassette'', ''cassette tape'', or ''tape''), a worldwide standard for analog audio recording and playback
** Cassette single (or "Cassingle"), a music single in the ...
. The band's sound was a unique blend of
New Age music and
Jazz. However, the band generally avoided such a classification. As Rob Kohler said in a 1988 interview with the
Missoulian, the focus of the band's live performances was improvisation and spontaneity. In the same interview, Kohler emphasized the influence of the landscape of Montana on the band's music, saying "It seems that Montana is finally being recognized as a place where art is. Montana is such an inspirational place."
This World (1995-present)
In 1995, Lee Kohler reformed the group, now with drummer Michael Blessing, under the name This World. Besides the addition of a drummer, the primary element that differentiates This World from In
nature of humanity and
religion. The band quickly found success, performing around Montana. In 1996 they recorded an album, ''
This World'', with
Grammy-winning producer
Cookie Marenco
Cookie Marenco is an American audio engineer, record producer, and composer. She is the founder of OTR Studios and Blue Coast Records and has engineered or produced five Grammy-nominated records and has several gold records. She served as soun ...
. After the release of ''Beyond the Beyond'' in 2000, This World would not release another album until 2013's
''Celestial Skies''.
Band members
Lee Kohler, keyboards, lead vocals, rhythm guitar, lead composer
Rob Kohler, bass, lead guitar, background vocals
Kate Kohler, background vocals (1996–present)
Robi Johns, guitars (1985-1990)
Michael Blessing, drums, percussion (1995-1996)
Clay Green, drums, percussion (1996-2013)
Mark Raynes, drums, percussion (2013–present)
Discography
As In Flight:
''...Imagine a Music'' (1986), cassette
As This World:
''
This World'' (1995)
''Beyond the Beyond'' (2000)
(2013)
References
External links
Official Website
{{This World (band), State=expanded
Musical groups from Montana
American progressive rock groups