7/12/15
We arrived from California just after midnight. On Saturday, while we were packing up I read
Ravi Coltrane was giving a free concert on Sunday (7/5) in Huntington. He was also going to be interviewed by a DJ
from Hofstra. This event was to kick off
a proposed annual event, John Coltrane Day in Huntington.
It was also a fund raiser for the Coltrane Home foundation which is
trying to raise funds to refurbish the house where John Coltrane lived and composed
for the last years of his young life. He was only 40 when he passed in 1967. This is the house where he wrote the classic and influential A Love Supreme. There are details on the house on the web
site:
From what I understand Ravi has played in Huntington previously,
but I am waiting for more details. I’ve
seen Ravi Coltrane previously, performing at the Blue Note, Iridium, Lincoln
Center as well at his mother’s memorial at St. John the Divine. This was one of those shows I would be
kicking myself if I didn’t attend. Even Ali said I should go. Off I went with my head still in the clouds
and a little jet lagged. I found a spot
on the hill, sloping towards the stage and in the back. I could have sat closer. There are rules to these concerts I
learned. No beach chairs in front of the
stage, only blankets. Since I had
neither, I could have propped down stage center.
Before long more people were staking out their places, some
had candles in glass cups. One couple had a small hibachi with a small
flame. There was a crowd. As dusk fell on us I saw a drone which at
first I thought was a bird fly over the park and then fly back to where it
originated. The device was pretty cool
and I have to admit I’d like to get one.
Why? It’s a cool toy. Fire flies dotted the dark. Children were playing in the park. Sparse couples sauntered around the pond as
Ravi Coltrane’s quartet played. It was a
cool summer night to spend under the Huntington sky....listening to jazz.
The interview was sort of bland, the DJ said he was nervous, but Ravi made a memorable
remark about his birth at Huntington Hospital. “The doctors botched up my circumcision.
I really need to speak to them.” He
discussed growing up in California, “My mother was an Ashram and my father was
a jazz legend.” As well as the influence
John Coltrane has on jazz.
The Ravi Coltrane Quartet: featured Glenn Zaleski, piano, Joshua Crumbly,
bass and Kush Abeday, drums. This quartet is different and new and as
Ravi explained, “young.” Still, this
brief show displayed their immense talents. Yet, I am curious why Ravi would not play one of his originals? He is a Grammy nominated artist...
The following is a
play list:
My Lady, by John Coltrane
Who wants Ice Cream, by Ralph Alessi
I’m old fashioned, by Jerome Kern
Nothing Like You, by Bob Dorough
Lush Life, by Billy Strayhorn
A Love Supreme, part two resolution by John Coltrane
Thank you for reading this.
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