Translinear Light: The Music of Alice Coltrane

featuring Ravi Coltrane with Special Guest Brandee Younger

Alice Coltrane channeled “serenity through the chords of her piano and the strum of her harp.” (The New York Times) An accomplished pianist and musician in her own right and the wife of saxophonist John Coltrane, Alice’s spirituality and music transports listeners to the philosophical definition of ecstasy—outside oneself.

Alice invoked the divine. She combined Vedic chants with gospel and created her own swirling version of the cosmos. Rich, meditative, and powerful, her music inspired listeners to find liberation from within. In doing so, she defined what is now known as spiritual jazz.

This concert will be led by Alice’s son, Grammy-nominated saxophonist Ravi Coltrane, who had encouraged his mother to record and perform live again after a 26-year hiatus. Ravi produced the album Translinear Light which was to be her last studio recording. The album was a “searing reminder of how mesmerizingly beautiful sound can be.” (popmatters)

Ravi will lead an ensemble that includes Grammy-nominated harpist Brandee Young, organist David Virelles, pianist Courtney Brian, bassist Bob Hurst, and percussionist Jeff Tain Watts, as well as a 12-piece string ensemble.

We invite you to this special night celebrating Alice Coltrane’s singular genius.

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Programmed by curator-in-residence Jarrett Martineau