Skip to content
CapRadio

CapRadio

signal status listen live donate
listen live donate signal status
listen live donate signal status
  • News
    • topics
    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • genres
    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic
    • Daily Playlist
  • Programs + Podcasts
    • news
    • Morning Edition
    • All Things Considered
    • Marketplace
    • Insight With Vicki Gonzalez
    • music
    • Acid Jazz
    • At the Opera
    • Classical Music
    • Connections
    • Excellence in Jazz
    • Hey, Listen!
    • K-ZAP on CapRadio
    • Mick Martin's Blues Party
    • Programs A-Z
    • Podcast Directory
  • Schedules
    • News
    • Music
    • ClassicalStream
    • JazzStream
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Daily Playlist
  • Community
    • Events Calendar
    • CapRadio Garden
    • CapRadio Reads
    • Ticket Giveaways
  • Support
    • Evergreen Gift
    • One-Time Gift
    • Corporate Support
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Gift
    • Legacy Gift
    • Endowment Gift
    • Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • e‑Newsletter
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Close Menu

Speak No Evil Jazz blog

Capital Public Radio's discussion of an art form born in America and celebrated worldwide.

subscribe

 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 

Concert Review – 50th Anniversary, A Love Supreme (Dec. 13, 2014)

  •  Gary G. Vercelli 
Monday, December 15, 2014
  

Fifty years after the genre-defying classic recording of  John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme, his son Ravi has spent nearly a week at the SFJAZZ Center, exploring reworkings of his father’s compositions with a variety of ensembles, including collaborations with Joe Lovano, Geri Allen, The SFJAZZ High School All-Stars and Nicholas Payton.

John Coltrane’s music was his prayer, and this 33-minute album-length suite elevated his status well beyond jazz circles. A Love Supreme sold over 500,000 units, won Down Beat’s album of the year in 1965, and influenced everyone from Roger McGuinn of the Byrds (who credited Coltrane with inspiring “Eight Miles High”) to Carlos Santana.

Still jet-lagged from my recent yoga pilgrimage to Pune, India for a 10-day Iyengar intensive celebrating Geeta Iyengar’s 70th birthday, I mustered the energy to drive to the Bay Area for what I hoped would be an equally spiritual experience. I was not disappointed, for the vibe laid down by Geetaji was reignited by Ravi and his special guests.

Coltrane was joined on this auspicious journey by bassist Matt Garrison (Jimmy Garrison’s son) and drummer Marcus Gilmore (grandson of “King” Roy Haynes), as well as special guests Nicholas Payton and Adam Rogers.

The 10 p.m. set was sold out and began with a synthesized-enhanced bass solo by Garrison, setting the stage for “Wise One,” another Coltrane spiritual anthem. Ravi’s excursion on tenor retained all the richness, fullness, and spiritual presence of his father’s original effort, but was spread over a modern canvas of electric funky bass lines. Ravi switched to soprano sax on “Satellite,” again with a pristine tone.

Nicholas Payton and guitarist Adam Rogers joined the band for Coltrane’s “Tungi.” Although Payton is known as a world-class trumpet master, here he alternated between laying down some supportive chords on the Fender-Rhodes, then joined Coltrane in the front line with some beautiful upper register offerings. Guitarist Adam Rogers got off some Pat Martino-influenced rapid fire lines as the song expanded.

A too-brief version of “Lonnie’s Lament” was followed by “Your Lady,” finding Coltrane on soprano again with Payton taking another inspired trumpet solo. “A Love Supreme” again found Payton at the keyboard, laying down a lush canvas on the Fend Rhodes over which Coltrane painted ethereal showers of soul and power on tenor. Transitions between the movements were often handled by Garrison’s electronic adventures, some more satisfying than others.

As the concert concluded, all musicians embraced on stage, showing they were emotionally moved by this magical evening as much as the audience.

    Related Stories

  • Iyengar And Coltrane: Reflections on The Masters

    Monday, December 15, 2014
    Gary G. Vercelli links a yoga master to a saxophone master via their commitment to practice.

 ReviewJohn ColtraneSF Jazz

Gary G. Vercelli

Jazz Music Director

Jazz Music Director Gary Vercelli produces CapRadio's terrestrial and online jazz programming, including JazzStream.org. He also hosts Excellence In Jazz and Acid Jazz and writes reviews of new jazz releases.  Read Full Bio 

 Email Gary G. Vercelli

Coronavirus Newsletter

Get answers to your questions, the latest updates and easy access to the resources you need, delivered to your inbox.

 

Want to know what to expect? Here's a recent newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

We'll send you weekly emails so you can stay informed about the coronavirus in California.

Browse all newsletters

More Jazz Posts

Courtesy of the artist

Classic jazz revitalized in new release by Catherine Russell

May 12, 2022

Courtesy of the artist

Michael Wolff: Jazz Innovator, Life Optimist

May 16, 2022

John Clayton/Skylar Tang

Who says big band jazz is for old people? Not this teenage composer

May 11, 2022

More From CapRadio Music

Adam Conte/Courtesy of the artist

Meet Raven Chacon, the first indigenous person to win the Pulitzer Prize for music

May 11, 2022
We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

More From CapRadio Music

Adam Conte/Courtesy of the artist

Meet Raven Chacon, the first indigenous person to win the Pulitzer Prize for music

May 11, 2022

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    • (916) 278-8900
    • Toll-free (877) 480-5900
    • Email Us
    • Submit a News Tip
  • Contact Us

  • About Us

    • Contact Us / Feedback
    • Coverage
    • Directions
    • Careers & Internships
    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Press
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile App
    • On Air Schedules
    • Smart Speakers
    • Playlist
    • Podcasts
    • RSS
  • Connect With Us

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2022, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.