Coltrane at 81
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This could be called tenor colossi week: Not only is Sonny Rollins celebrating the 50th anniversary of his Carnegie debut, but the 81st birthday of his friend and colleague, John Coltrane, is also being commemorated around New York, as is the 40th anniversary of Coltrane’s passing. Here are some of the more exciting events around town:
Coltrane Revisited
Through Saturday, Birdland
The great contemporary tenor Joe Lovano plays the ‘Trane songbook with the pianist Steve Kuhn, bassist Lonnie Plaxico, and venerated drummer Andrew Cyrille.
Celebrating Coltrane
September 21, Rubin Museum
Reggie Workman, best known as Coltrane’s bassist, teams in a duo with Dayna Stephens, a youngish San Francisco saxophonist who is new to me.
Coltrane — The Late Period
September 23, Symphony Space
The all-star saxophone trio reforms with Dave Liebman, Joe Lovano, and, replacing the late Michael Brecker, Ravi Coltrane (the talented son of the tenor giant), along with the rhythm section of Cecil McBee, Billy Hart, Phil Markowitz, and the Manhattan School of Music Jazz Orchestra. This will likey be the big Coltrane event to catch.
John Coltrane Memorial Concert
September 23, Middle Collegiate Church
The second event on Coltrane’s birthday features a more avant-garde line-up, featuring Mr. Workman, Roy Campbell, Louie Belogenis, Andrew Bemkey, and Warren Smith.
