Saturday (Sept. 23, 2006) would have been John Coltrane's 80th birthday, had he not so tragically died so young (age 40) of cancer.
In celebration of his life, there was a wonderful concert of his and his wife's music in Ann Arbor. 
In concert at Hill Auditorium on the University of Michigan campus:
Alice Coltrane (organ, piano, synthasizer)
Ravi Coltrane (sax)
Charlie Haden (bass)
Roy Haynes, the legendary jazz drummer
The quartet played music from Alice Coltrane's recent CD, Translinear Light. They also played many songs composed by John.
There was a video presentation on how his influence is still so strongly felt in today's world.
The Coltrane family has established a foundation which gives out scholarships to students studying jazz musicanship throughout the country. So two UM students who are currently receiving the scholarships came out to play a classic Coltrane song with the quartet. They looked rather intimidated - and who wouldn't to play Coltrane with members of his family on stage with thousands of people watching and listening? But as soon as the music started, the kids were just fine.
Roy Haynes, the legendary jazz drummer is still a drum god in his eighties. He kicked ass, and got standing ovations for his solos.
And as a wonderful last treat, the quartet played the opening movement of A Love Supreme as the encore. 
A wonderful evening, and a fantastic birthday party for one of America's greatest composers and musicians!
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment