# CD review: Frank Kohl – Solitude 2020: Video, CD cover

- Link: https://jazzblues.eu/2020/11/08/cd-review-frank-kohl-solitude-2020-video-cd-cover/
- Published: 2020-11-08T00:31:33+01:00
- Author: https://JazzBlues.EU

**Frank Kohl has had a lifetime refining the art of jazz guitar. Born and raised
in New York, Kohl began playing guitar at age eight. Initially drawn to the pop 
music of the day like the Beatles and then playing and learning from the rock and
blues musicians of that period.**

It was time for a change, and at age sixteen, Kohl discovered the music of Wes Montgomery
and began his path into jazz guitar. Fortunately, Kohl’s high school had one of 
the nation’s top Jazz Big Bands, and he began playing and learning with them. During
this time, Kohl had easy access to NYC and all the jazz clubs NY had to offer. One
of the clubs Kohl frequented was Rapsins, which presented free-flowing cutting-edge
jazz of the highest level. Players like guitarist Linc Chamberland, bassist Lynn
Christie, and saxophonist Dave Liebman were regulars at Rapsins. Kohl eventually
became a student of Linc’s and bandmate with Linn’s.

From 72’ – 76’ Kohl attended and graduated from Berklee College Of Music. At this
time, Frank was exposed to fellow students like Pat Metheny and John Scofield and
teachers like Gary Burton. After graduation, Frank headed back to NY and began performing
regularly. In the mid-’80s, Kohl recorded his first album_ Reform _with The Frank
Kohl Quartet. The LP featured NY bassist Michael Moore. At the time, Michael was
with pianist Bill Evans.

Kohl then packed up and headed west to California’s Bay Area. Always playing and
staying musically active, Kohl landed a spot with Don McCaslin Senior’s band Warmth.
He was with Don for seven years, and at the time, Don’s son Donny McCaslin, a young
tenor player who was also on the bandstand.

In the early 90’s Kohl moved north to Seattle, where he lives with his wife and 
three daughters. Frank stays active in Seattle performing at many of the Northwest’s
most prestigious jazz venues and festivals with many notable players. Kohl also 
spends time in New York and collaborates with his brother – pianist Tom Kohl and
bassist Steve LaSpina. Kohl has headlined at such prominent NY clubs as Smalls, 
Mezzrow’s, Maureen’s Jazz Cellar, The Triad Theatre, and The Beanrunner.

To date, Kohl has six CDs as a leader to his credit. Three of his CDs include NY
bassist Steve LaSpina, who has played and recorded with Jim Hall, Pat Martino, Marian
McPartland, and countless others. Kohl’s last CD, _The Crossing_, featured LaSpina
and guitarist John Stowell, an internationally recognized guitarist, clinician, 
and jazz innovator.

​Kohl’s latest offering, _Solitude_, is a lifelong goal of recording a solo guitar
CD. Absorbing the solo guitar approaches of greats like Joe Pass, Martin Taylor,
John Stowell, among others. Kohl has found his own voice in this challenging medium
and pays reverence to the solo guitar idiom so cherished in the jazz canon.

**Tracks**

1. Dreams in Color 4:07 (Frank Kohl)
 2. I Got It Bad 4:15 (Duke Ellington) 3. Imagine
This 3:16 (Frank Kohl) 4. Solitude 3:30 (Frank Kohl) 5. Alone Together 5:09 (Jerome
Kern) 6. A Call For Peace 4:34 (Frank Kohl) 7. Fly Way 4:08 (Frank Kohl) 8. Still
Missing You 3:24 (Frank Kohl) 9. City Lights 2:51 (Oscar Peterson) 10. In Your Arms
3:48 (Frank Kohl) 11. My Shining Hour 4:00 (Harold Arlen) 12. Wide Open 3:23 (Frank
Kohl) 13. Once I Loved 4:06 (AC Jobim)

**Players & Instruments:**
 **Frank Kohl: guitar**

![Frank Kohl - Solitude](https://i0.wp.com/jazzquad.ru/img/pages/5713.jpg?resize
=640%2C640&ssl=1)

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