A supreme love from son to father

Ravi Coltrane, son of saxophonist John Coltrane, will play his late father’s legendary recording ‘A Love Supreme’ with guests in San Francisco on December 13th.

A Love Supreme is regarded as one of the greatest jazz recordings ever made. A four part suite, ‘Acknowledgement’, ‘Resolution’, Pursuance and ‘Psalm’ makes it a moving, spiritual jazz hymn to a higher power. John Coltrane spoke of a moment of epiphany following an inner soul search. The sleeve notes read, "During the year 1957, I experienced, by the grace of God, a spiritual awakening which was to lead me to a richer, fuller, more productive life. At that time, in gratitude, I humbly asked to be given the means and privilege to make others happy through music. I feel this has been granted through his grace."

This year is the album’s 50th anniversary. Ravi Coltrane with honour this with players including guitarist Adam Rogers, trumpeter Nicholas Payton, bassist Matthew Garrison (son of John Coltrane sideman Jimmy Garrison) and drummer Marcus Gilmore, grandson of drummer Roy Haynes who also collaborated with Trane.

The idea of honouring ‘A Love Supreme’ has already been explored twice in recent years by British jazz musicians. A large cross-culture ensemble conducted by vibes player Orphy Robinson, with a score by flautist Rowland Sutherland, played four sold out sessions of ‘A re-envisioning of John Coltrane's A Love Supreme’. The first was at The Chapel, King’s College London and latterly at ’James Lavelle’s Meltdown’ on London’s Southbank.