Introduction

Kelan Phil Cohran: The Spiritual Musician is a film just started in production by the production company of Teamwork Media Group International (TMGI), whose mission is to bring more African American history to all Americans. TMGI’s leadership has more than 40 years developing and producing client driven video projects and award-winning documentary films.

The motivation behind producing this documentary is our strong desire to expose you to the many astounding effects of a man whose lifelong journey helped to unlock many hidden mysteries and scientific gems that have been lost throughout the ages.

A strong leader, pioneer and spiritual beacon dedicated to the upliftment of consciousness, spiritual awareness and action demonstrated through his deep understanding of music, science, sound, light, astronomy, cosmology, health, philosophy, psychology and constant activism, and was known for passing that knowledge on to students.

Kelan Phil Cohran believed that music and the energy of the cosmos were interrelated, and he taught his students how that’s even possible.  There are so many things that he taught that we feel people need to know.

Cohran played and recorded with the groundbreaking Sun Ra Arkestra in the late 1950s; invented an instrument he dubbed the Frankiphone — a version of an African kalimba or “thumb piano,” which Maurice White brought to Earth, Wind & Fire; created the Affro-Arts Theater, which in the 1960s was a South Side epicenter of experimental arts; and founded the Artistic Heritage Ensemble.

Kelan Phil Cohran’s music and teachings influenced bands, recording artist and master musicians such as Earth, Wind & Fire. Chaka Khan and Master Henry Gibson who went on to play with Curtis Mayfield studied with him.

Kelan Phil Cohran felt that it was important that people know the keys to life and why things are the way they are in the world we live in today.

He understood that knowledge is eternal and the truth never changes. Mr. Cohran was the kind of man that approached everything with discipline, humility and integrity.

The globally influential Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM) was co-founded by him.

And generations of musicians drew inspiration from the pioneering work of Chicago composer and multi-instrumentalist Kelan Phil Cohran.

Kelan Phill Cohran departed this earth on June 28, 2017 to fly among the stars with the Ancestors. He was 90 years old. We KNOW his legacy will live on for generations to come and with this documentary we just want to do our part in making sure people are well equipped with the keys that they will be able to unlock and open any door they want to with Knowledge and understanding.

This film will feature the son of Kelan Phil Cohran along with numerous people who learned and benefited from his teaching.

What We Need

We are raising funds to complete the documentary project which goes well beyond making a film. This is a social documentary film aimed to help people understand who they are what they need to improve their lives. The funds will be to include several music stars that have been affected by his teachings, including paying for the rights to use his music within the film, along with music from both Maurice White, Earth Wind and Fire, and Chaka Khan whom he was a major influence to. This project is incredibly timely as the economy continues to worsen for the marginalized, specifically youth who are often left to fend for themselves.  

Other Ways You Can Help

Get the word out and make some noise about our campaign. When people see this film, it will have such an affect on their thinking going forward.