About Sam Kohler

Sam Kohler is a composer, educator, and multi-instrumentalist living in Baltimore, MD. A lifelong musician from a family of dedicated musicians, his works Synchromy and Colorfields explore the deep connection between color and sound, while works like Color Train and Rainbow Cathedral paint dream-like narratives in technicolor. Last year saw the release of the EP Harmonic Fugue, featuring a lush and energetic work performed by the Polymnia Quartet and recorded at the world-famous Esplanade Studios.

A dedicated performer, Kohler has sought to develop deep relationships with his audiences and bandmates. Kohler was formerly the bassist for New Orleans-based neo-soul band Jank Setup, fusion band Skeptic Moon, and the Cumbia band Agua de Valencia, the latter of which could be seen every Sunday at the Apple Barrel on historic Frenchman Street in New Orleans before the 2020 Pandemic. From 2017-20 he served the congregation of St. Paul Lutheran in the Faubourg Marigny as their organist and choirmaster.

Kohler has studied composition with Barbara Jazwinski, Maxim Samarov, and Kevin George; and jazz improvisation with Jesse McBride and Jim Markway. He currently studies at the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins in the composition studio of Felipe Lara.