September 29, 2022
Content sponsored by
Courtesy/Lakecia Benjamin
Lakecia Benjamin, jazz saxophonist and Artistic Advisor of October’s Alice & John: A Coltrane Festival
Alice and John Coltrane are jazz royalty, and Penn Live Arts’ Coltrane Festival (October 14-23) honors the tremendous impact this iconic duo had on American music, with an exciting emphasis on Alice’s significant and often underrepresented contributions. With rising star saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin serving as Artistic Advisor, the Festival showcases John’s bebop, free jazz and spiritual enlightenments alongside the more abstract sounds and Eastern influences of Alice’s compositions. An impressive line-up of artists brings new interpretations of the Coltranes’ music into the present day through world premieres and Penn Live Arts commissioned works, while films and discussions with Coltrane scholars round out the Festival’s thematic journey with these jazz icons.
Saxophonist Ravi Coltrane explores the groundbreaking music of his legendary parents
Harpist Brandee Younger makes her Penn Live Arts debut in a program focusing on Alice Coltrane’s otherworldly album, “Ptah, the El Daoud”
Erin Patrice O'Brien/For Penn Live Arts
"I wanted to honor both Alice and John Coltrane in my album, Pursuance: The Coltranes,” says Benjamin. “Even though I am a
saxophonist, I was familiar with Alice Coltrane's music before I became
familiar with John Coltrane and his music. I was drawn to Alice Coltrane's
spirituality and how she reflected that in her music. After I became
familiar with John Coltrane, I devoured his music, both as a musician and
composer but also because of the obvious spirituality in his music. I think
of them as a real power couple and I could not imagine honoring one without
the other.”
Pam Tanowtiz Dance performs two world premieres including Walk With Me, a commissioned work set to the music of Alice and John Coltrane.
Erin Baiano/For Penn Live Arts
Alice & John: A Coltrane Festival
is a major program within Penn Live Arts’ 50th anniversary celebration in
the 2022-23 season. This milestone
anniversary will be commemorated in a year of world and Philadelphia
premieres, local debuts, commissioned works and some of the most celebrated
artists from around the globe. Penn Live Arts is known for its renowned
dance series, and the 2022-23 season stays true to tradition with 10 of the
world’s greatest companies and most talented choreographers. Other major
initiatives in the season include two significant residencies that elevate
Black storytelling tradition: the legendary
Negro Ensemble Company, featuring a one-act play festival and a world premiere multi-disciplinary
theatrical work, and Philadelphia’s brilliant hip hop choreographer, Rennie Harris. A new
series, entitled ListenHear, profiles
important contemporary musical voices, and the Philadelphia Children’s
Festival returns in spring 2023.
Subscriptions and single tickets, beginning at $29, are available now. Visit PennLiveArts.org for details.
