A Tribute to John Coltrane: Ambition and Emotion

Strategic Insights -

A quartet led by drummer Elvin Jones performed two John Coltrane suites at Alice Tully Hall on Sunday night, oscillating between success and failure. The concert, part of the Jazz at Lincoln Center series, attempted to rewrite history by combining orthodox and unorthodox interpretations of Coltrane's original material. Jones, a member of Coltrane's legendary quartet in the 1960s, took a unique approach, not using a saxophonist and encouraging his sidemen to avoid imitating the Coltrane quartet's conventions.

Key Takeaways:

  • The concert showcased a quartet led by Elvin Jones, including Wynton Marsalis on trumpet, Marcus Roberts on piano, and Reginald Veal on bass, who aimed to reimagine John Coltrane's music in their own style.
  • The performance balanced traditional interpretations of Coltrane's material with unorthodox approaches, creating a unique and complex experience.
  • Jones played spectacularly throughout the evening, with his relentless swing driving the band forward and creating tension through his textures and explorations.
  • Marsalis and Roberts resisted the pressure of Coltrane's precise demands, sometimes resulting in moments where they faltered or sounded thin.
  • The second half of the concert, featuring a selective run-through of "Love Supreme," paid off, with the musicians displaying a distinctive sensibility and exciting performance.
  • Marsalis achieved remarkable results in his solos, showcasing his control and imagination, and producing an improvisation that seemed to stop time.
  • Roberts also drew attention for his unconventional approach, incorporating boogie-woogie and stride sections that whirred mechanically.

Statistics:

  • The concert featured a quartet led by Elvin Jones, with Jones, 66, playing the drums.
  • The performance was part of the Jazz at Lincoln Center series.
  • Coltrane's legendary quartet in the 1960s did not include a saxophonist, and the current tribute did not either.

Sources:

  • "A Tribute to John Coltrane" by a critic for The New York Times, April [insert date]
  • Photo: Elvin Jones performing on Sunday night in a tribute to the saxophonist John Coltrane, in the Jazz at Lincoln Center series at Alice Tully Hall. (Jack Vartoogian)