Welcome to Philadelphia Jazz Project
Celebrating Coltrane
Aug 20, 2016
September 17th to 25th, 2016
One of the most important artists of the 20th century was our neighbor. He walked among us. He lived among us. He was not born here, but he became a man and a professional musician here. We celebrate his birthday next month. September 23rd, 2016. He would have been 90 years old.
His name was John William Coltrane.
▪ 1926, Born in Hamlet, North Carolina
▪ 1943, Moved to North to Philadelphia like many during the Great Migration
▪ 1955, Joined the famous, Miles Davis Quintet
▪ 1955, Married Naima Grubbs
▪ 1957, Worked with the great, Thelonious Monk at NYCs Five Spot.
▪ 1958, Becomes known for playing multiple notes at once, called ‘sheets of sound.'
▪ 1960, Recorded an historic version of the popular tune, “My Favorite Things.”
▪ 1961, Includes multi-reed genius, Eric Dolphy into his band
▪ 1964, Released album, A Love Supreme: an ode to his faith in and love for God.
▪ 1966, Married pianist Alice McLeod aka Alice Coltrane.
▪ 1967, Liver disease took Coltrane’s life.
▪ 1972, "A Love Supreme" certified gold by the RIAA in Japan.
▪ 1995, Honored by the United States Postal Service with a postage stamp.
▪ 1997, Posthumously awarded RIAA Lifetime Achievement Award.
▪ 2001, "My Favorite Things" chosen for NEA & RIAA 360 Songs Of The Century.
▪ 2001, "A Love Supreme" & "My Favorite Things" certified gold in the United States.
▪ 2007, Awarded a posthumous, Pulitzer Prize Special Citation.
▪ 2016, “A Love Supreme” added to Library of Congress - National Recording Registry.
Philadelphia Jazz Project in collaboration with Temple University Libraries, WRTI, PhillyCAM, Jazz Near You and other partners will celebrate John Coltrane's 90th Birthday with 9 days of FREE events. These events will take place between September 17th to 25th, 2016.
The festivities will include screenings, media presentations, concerts, exhibitions and other special events.
Highlights:
▪ A 6 hour saxophone marathon presenting national, regional & local saxophonists
▪ An outdoor "walk" with 3 stages of live music
▪ A Jam Supreme with a Jazz-meets-House/Techno interpretation of Coltrane classics
▪ An Afro-Cuban influenced interpretation of Coltrane's "Kulu Se Mama"
▪ A special Equinox concert on very night of the Equinox
Participating venues will include: East Park Reservoir/Fairmount Park, New Barber’s Hall, Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection, Free Library of Phila - Parkway Central Branch, Conwell Dance Theater & The Bell Tower - Temple University, Ritz Theater, Church of the Advocate, The Fire, The Piazza at Schmidt’s Commons, and more.
Participating artists will include; Azar Lawrence, Terry Lawson, Douglas Ewart, WorldTown Sound System, Alan Nelson, James Brandon Lewis, Umar Raheem, Chris Stevens, Korey Riker, Josh Lee, Tim Price, Michael Pedicin, Suzanne Burgess, Paul Jost, Sam Reed, Pete Chavez, Jeff Johnson, Lucky Thompson, Karen Smith, Chris Oatts, Lauren Lark Jones, Michael Andrews, Victor North, Pete Chavez, Nasir Dickerson and many more.
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.