There's an embarrassment of riches in Los Angeles this weekend in celebration of both the Vernal Equinox and the birthday of John William Coltrane (September 23).
[Picture courtesy of Debra Hurd]
Friday, Sept. 21, 6pm. Fabulous saxophonist and Coltrane acolyte Azar Lawrence leads his
band in the Central Court at LACMA.
Friday, Sept. 21, 9pm. John Coltrane Birthday Celebration at the Underground Railroad (South Central Station), 3205 W. 54th Street, just one and one-half blocks east of Crenshaw Boulevard.
Hosted by saxophonist extraordinaire Jesse Sharps and visiting pianist Kaeef Ali from Philly.
Slated to perform are Sonship Theus, Henry “The Skipper” Franklin, Donald Dean, Lewis Spears, Kafi Roberts, Billy Harris, George Taylor and perhaps a few other honored guests. If you haven’t checked out Bongo and Wiletta’s new community performance space, that is reason enough. But this is also shaping up to be a special night!
Sunday, Sept. 23, 9pm. Reprise of the Coltrane Celebration at the Underground Railroad!
Sunday, Sept. 23, 8pm. Extraordinary vocalist Dwight Trible leads his band in a Coltrane Tribute at the Jazz Bakery in Culver City.
With exquisite timing, the saxophonist's Long Island home has just been given a National Historic Designation. And, a great new book on Trane by our friend Ben Ratliff has just hit the shelves. (Read a review of Coltrane: The Story of A Sound from author RJ Smith.) Also, check out the new Coltrane box set Interplay that has just been released.
AND, IN OTHER GANDERS ABOUT TOWN:
Wednesday, September 26, 8pm. Mr. Ornette Coleman, winner of the 2006 Pulizter Prize for his most recent release Sound Grammar, will appear with his quartet at UCLA's Royce Hall.
Saturday, Sept. 29, 10am-6pm. The Day of the Drum Festival at the Watts Towers.
Sunday, Sept. 30, 10am-6pm. Watts Towers Jazz Festival, which will include the Pan Afrikan People's Arkestra.
Saturday & Sunday, Oct. 6 & 7, 11:30am-10pm. Jazz at Drew Festival. On tap for Sunday is the Pan Afrikan Peoples Arkestra, Cedar Walton Quintet, and Curtis Fuller Super Band. (Unlike Watts, this is not free -- $50 admission!)
Comments (3)
I had easy time reading your blog. But it seems now it's over :(. Man, this post sucks. I hope at least the next one won't be.
Posted by quarks | April 3, 2008 4:23 AM
Posted on April 3, 2008 04:23
Huh... Your blog is nice in general, but this very post... It is brilliant!!! It can be never better.
Posted by VoIP Blog | April 6, 2008 10:47 AM
Posted on April 6, 2008 10:47
From the beginning your blog seemed pretty dull for me. But now it keeps getting better. THIS post is just AWESOME!
Posted by Matthieu | April 9, 2008 4:16 AM
Posted on April 9, 2008 04:16