Coltrane Celebration Schedule
COLTRANE AT 90 CELEBRATION SCHEDULE
Philadelphia Jazz Project, in collaboration with Temple University Libraries, WRTI, PhillyCAM, Jazz Near You and other partners present a celebration of John Coltrane's 90th Birthday with 9 days of FREE events in Philadelphia. These events will take place between September 17th to 25th, 2016.
ALL EVENTS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND FREE OF CHARGE
BUT TO ATTEND, YOU MUST REGISTER AT EVENTBRITE
Saturday, September 17th, 2016 – 12:00 noon
Jazz Walk – Giant Steps
Various Artists Are Participating
East Park Reservoir/Fairmount Park
33rd and Diamond Streets, Phila., PA 19121
The Jazz Walk is a one day, outdoor celebration to publicly acknowledge and celebrate John Coltrane's 90th Birthday. It will present “six stations” or stops located around the East Park Reservoir in Fairmount Park featuring live music, information and refreshments.
Participating musicians include the Space Whale Ensemble, Eye2Eye Trio & Larry Price, Terry Lawson & Alan Nelson, Chris Stevens, Korey Riker, Josh Lee, Tim Price Trio & Michael Pedicin, Suzanne Burgess & Paul Jost, Sam Reed, Larry McKenna, Pete Chavez and many others.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2016
Jazz Walk After Party – 6:00pm
Pop-Up Beer Garden Hosted by The Fairmount Park Conservancy
Hatfield House
3300 Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19130
Sunday, September 18th, 2016 – 4:30pm
Coltrane: Cookin' & Sweatin'
Featuring Lucky Thompson All Star Group
New Barber’s Hall
1402 W Oxford St, Phila., PA 19121
Drummer Lucky Thompson and percussionist Karen Smith present a blazing concert exploring the vibes of the early 1950s, as John Coltrane developed into the artist we all know and love. This is about the birth of Hard Bop. The music gets funky and more soulful in that period. The house band features Jim Holton – piano, Justin Sekelewski – bass, Josh Lee - tenor sax, Lauren Lark Jones & Michael Andrews – vocals. The spirit of dance is surely to be in the house. If the spirit moves…. then do what comes naturally.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO - SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2016
Monday, September 19th, 2016 – 7:00pm
Mysterious Traveler 3 Concert Series
Featuring Chris Oatts - Saxophonist
Free Library of Phila Parkway Central Branch
1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
The first concert of the ongoing collaboration between PJP and The Free Library of Philadelphia. This time, the featured artists explore elements from the Free Library's collections and create new works inspired by them. Saxophonist Chris Oatts, visits the library's Education, Philosophy & Religion Department and shares some Coltrane vibes as well.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2016
Tuesday, September 20th, 2016 – 8:00pm
Kulu Se Mama Tribute
Featuring Sonic 8
Conwell Dance Theater
1801 North Broad Street, 5th Floor Philadelphia, PA 19122
Sonic Liberation 8 presents a live performance of the music contained on John Coltrane’s 1965 album, “Kulu Se Mama.” This album serves a bridge in Coltrane’s development. It marks the beginning us his use of African percussion and also, his exploration of African spirituality. Featuing Kevin Diehl, Nichola Rivera, Tom Lowery and Ron Howerton – percussion; Matt Engle – bass, Veronica Jurkiewicz – viola, Elliot Levin – woodwinds and Mike Watson – bass clarinet.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO - TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2016
Wednesday, September 21st, 2016 – 3:00pm
Coltrane Festival at the Temple Bell Tower
Polett Walk between 12th & 13th Streets, Phila., PA 19122
(Rain Location, Paley Library, 1210 Polett Walk)
All Coltrane, all afternoon at this pop-up musical performance by Temple University, Boyer School of Music students, faculty and local music professionals.
Wednesday, September 21st, 2016 – 7:00pm
Video Screening
Ritz At The Bourse
400 Ranstead St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Scribe Video Center presents three Coltrane-related works including two short of their own projects; “The John Coltrane House:” a recently produced nine minute video, along with “Giant Steps:” produced in collaboration with The John W. Coltrane Society in 1994. Also included is “Coltrane's Philadelphia” by the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia – a 25-minute film.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO - WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2016
Thursday, September 22nd, 2016 – 8:00pm
Equinox Concert
Conwell Dance Theater
1801 North Broad Street, 5th Floor Philadelphia, PA 19122
A special event taking place on the Equinox and of course, celebrating Coltrane’s classic composition of the same name. Concert celebrating both the celestial equinox and John Coltrane's fascination with science and celestial bodies. Featuring an all star ensemble with Alfie Pollitt – piano, Steve Beskrone – bass, Alan Nelson – drums, Victor North, Pete Chavez & Nasir Dickerson – tenor sax, Bobby Zankel – alto sax, Vince Turnbull – trumpet, Bob Blacksburg – trombone
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO - THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2016
Friday, September 23rd, 2016 – 12:00pm
Lunchtime Jam: Tribute to John Coltrane & Exhibit Opening
Church of the Advocate
1801 Diamond St, Philadelphia, PA 19121
Temple University Libraries and Charles L. Blockson Collection present an exhibition of John W. Mosley's Jazz photographs which opens at the Church of the Advocate with a celebration and musical performances. Mosley was a prolific and renowned Philadelphia photographer; his images are one of the Blockson Collection's richest visual resources, documenting political, social, and cultural life of the African American community from the 1930s through the 1960.
Friday, September 23rd, 2016 – 6:00pm
Solo Saxophone Tribute & Marathon
Church of the Advocate
1801 Diamond St, Philadelphia, PA 19121
WRTI's, J. Michael Harrison & PJP present a saxophone-centered tribute to John Coltrane. Starting at 6:00PM and running until midnight. The players would include a diverse spectrum of local, regional and international artists, such as James Carter, Bobby Zankel, Greg Osby, Sonny Fortune, Odean Pope, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Julian Pressley, Billy Harper, Mark Allen, Azar Lawrence, Sam Reed, Oli Mathisen, Douglas Ewart, James Brandon Lewis, Nasir Dickerson and others.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO - FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2016
Saturday, September 24th, 2016 – 6:00pm
A Jam Supreme At Piazza
Featuring WorldTown Sound System & The Living Sample
The Piazza At Schmidts Commons
1001 N 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123
Tri-State Indie and Boom Room Studios present a joyous celebration of John Coltrane's music as interpreted by Hiphop, House and Techno musicians and DJs. Featuring WorldTown Sound System and The Living Sample along with special guest Jazz soloists. The two ensembles will explore A Love Supreme and other key Coltrane compositions.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2016
Sunday, September 25th, 2016 – NEW TIME 6:00pm
Listening Party & Jam Session
The Fire
412 W Girard Ave, Phila, PA 19123
The Fire, Brewerytown Beats & Cratebeats Inc. present a culminating Jam Session/Beat Battle/Listening Party for the Coltrane Celebration. We'll be listening to Trane recordings, checking out a crate diggers' beat battle utilizing Coltrane recordings to create new Hiphop and Techno creations and then, we'll open the stage to a Jam Session. It will be open to the public and musicians who performed in earlier events will be encouraged to come thru as well.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO - SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2016
RELATED ACTIVITIES:
Ongoing Until December 23d, 2016
A Love Supreme Exhibition
Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection
Sullivan Hall, 1330 Polett Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19122
A Love Supreme is a special Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection exhibition commemorating Coltrane's 90th birthday and his impact on the music of the Great Migration.
Saturday, September 24th, 2016 – 8:00pm
The Music of Jymie Merritt and the Forerunners
Painted Bride Art Center
230 Vine Street, Phila, PA 19106
Formed by Jymie Merritt in 1962, the Forerunners are a band that uses the mathematics of rhythm, as a tool. Making a pledge at John Coltrane's funeral to continue to forge ahead with creative music, the group has quietly been an incubator for Philadelphia's avant-garde jazz creators. With an alumni which reads like a local Jazz who's who, the group is now led by Jymie’s son, bassist Mike Merritt; a member of late-night TV host Conan O’Brien’s band. He's joined by Odean Pope, Alan Nelson, Terry Lawson, Warren McLendon and Colmare Duncan.
From September 21st - 23rd, 2016
Drop-in Coltrane Listening Parties:
Free Library of Philadelphia
Parkway Central Branch/Music Department
1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
When Coltrane studied at the Ornstein School of Music, he made heavy use of the recordings and scores in the Free Library of Philadelphia’s Music Department. In honor of John Coltrane’s 90th birthday, the Music Department has set up special listening stations, so you and up to 4 friends can listen to our holdings of Coltrane on vinyl and reference CD. Scores will be on hand for the deep dive into Coltrane’s genius.
PARTNERS:
PJP, in collaboration with Temple University Libraries, Charles L. Blockson Collection, WRTI, PhillyCAM, PA State Senator Vincent Hughes, Free Library of Philadelphia, Jazz Near You, Tri-State Indie, Boom Room Studios/Worldtown Sound System, City of Philadelphia, Office of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, The Church of the Advocate, The Piazza At Schmidt's Commons, The Fire, Brewerytown Beats, Cratebeats Entertainment, Strawberry Mansion NAC, Fairmount Park Conservancy, East Fairmount Park Coalition, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and Painted Bride Art Center.
The Coltrane At 90 Celebration was made possible by support from the The Wyncote Foundation / Philadelphia Jazz Project is a sponsored project of CultureTrust Greater Philadelphia, with funding provided by The Wyncote Foundation.