Something About Alice Coltrane
Alice Coltrane 1937 - 2007
By Eddie Becton
One of the most recognizable names in the world of jazz, the Coltrane family lost its elder stateswoman, Alice Coltrane at the age of 69 of respiratory failure. Coltrane made the physical passage at West Hills Hospital and Medical Center in West Hills, California, but her spiritual guidance and impact will remain eternally. She performed sparsely, but was a mainstay during the annual John Coltrane Foundation scholarship benefit/concert.
Hailing from Detroit, Michigan, Alice McLeod was born August 27, 1937. An accomplished pianist, organist, and harpist, Coltrane made her impact on the jazz world despite being cast in the shadow of her iconic husband and saxophonist, John (whom she married in 1966). Perhaps her bigger legacy is the Vedantic Center in southern California, a spiritual retreat she founded in 1975 to advance the study of Eastern spirituality.
As a band leader, Coltrane played alongside other icons such as Pharoah Sanders, Joe Henderson, Archie Shepp, Roy Haynes, and others. Her spiritual leanings were evident in soul-searching tunes such as Journey in Satchidananda, Isis and Osiris, Lord, Help Me To Be to name a few. Coltrane’s 2004 recording of Translinear Light received critical acclaim and marked the conclusion of a 26-year recording hiatus. Her most recent project, Sacred Language of Ascension, was scheduled to be released in February 2007, but has sense been postponed.
Beyond music, Alice was also an avid supporter of humanitarian efforts. If you wish to contribute to causes she was interested in, please visit the following sites and make a generous donation: John Coltrane Foundation www.johncoltrane.com - under scholarship, please click on donation); Musicares Foundation www.grammy.com/musicares; Habitat for Humanity www.habitat.org/donation; Yogaville Ashram www.supportyogaville.org. Alice is survived by her daughter Michelle (vocalist) and sons Ravi (saxophonist) and Oranyan (saxophonist, guitarist), and several grandchildren.