Sep 3, 2025 12:02 PM
Keeping the Flame at Van Gelder Studio
On the last Sunday of 2024, in the control room of Van Gelder Studio, Don and Maureen Sickler, co-owners since Rudy Van…
Ravi Coltrane will lead “Impressions: Improvisatory Interpretations on A Love Supreme” on Jan. 12 at Roulette Intermedium.
(Photo: Courtesy Winter Jazz Fest)This year’s Winter Jazzfest will present two major events during its Jan. 9–15 run at various venues across New York City, including an evening of music celebrating the 60th anniversary of saxophonist John Coltrane’s iconic album A Love Supreme and a special concert honoring the groundbreaking legacy of Strata-East Records.
Leading “Impressions: Improvisatory Interpretations on A Love Supreme” on Jan. 12 at Roulette Intermedium in Brooklyn will be saxophonist Ravi Coltrane, son of the legendary John Coltrane, performing alongside his quartet featuring David Virelles (piano), Jeff “Tain” Watts (drums) and Dezron Douglas (bass). They will be followed by guest improvisers continuing the themes of A Love Supreme in five separate ensemble sections. The improvisers include Allison Miller, Angelica Sanchez, Ben Williams, James Brandon Lewis, Joel Ross, Kalia Vandever, Kassa Overall, Kenny Warren, Linda May Han Oh, Mali Obomsawin, Melissa Aldana, Nasheet Waits, Orrin Evans, Rafiq Bhatia, Sam Newsome, Theon Cross and Tomoki Sanders.
Recorded in 1964 and released in 1965, A Love Supreme stands as a monumental achievement in jazz history. Coltrane’s spiritual and musical exploration on the album continues to resonate with audiences and inspire musicians worldwide. The Jan. 12 event promises to be a unique and powerful tribute to this enduring masterpiece.
The evening will begin with a pre-show panel discussion moderated by Ashley Kahn at 6:30 p.m., followed by Ravi Coltrane’s quartet performance at 8 p.m. The concert will conclude with five unique improvisational sets featuring the all-star lineup of guest artists.
“Strata-East Rising Concert: A Tribute to the Landmark Jazz Label” will bring together two bands on Jan. 13 at the independent New York venue LPR to reimagine some of the imprint’s most iconic works. Featuring a star-studded lineup of original Strata-East artists Charles Tolliver, Cecil McBee, Billy Harper, Billy Hart and George Cables, the show will also highlight the talents of Steve Jordan, Christian McBride, aja monet, Endea Owens, Keyon Harrold, Camille Thurman & Darrell Green, Victor Gould and more.
Co-founded by Charles Tolliver and Stanley Cowell in 1971, and known for its DIY spirit and ties to Black liberation politics, Strata-East gave artists the freedom to create on their terms, producing landmark albums by legends like Tolliver, Cowell, The Heath Brothers, Clifford Jordan, Max Roach, Gil Scott-Heron and Pharoah Sanders, among many others.
Curated by Marcus J. Moore, Brice Rosenbloom and Ched Tolliver, the concert aims to reflect the ethos of Strata-East: music that inspires listeners to push boundaries, embrace hope and lean into life even during challenging times.
The program will pay homage to the visionaries who shaped Strata-East, including:
• Honoring Stanley Cowell and Clifford Jordan, featuring selections from Glass Bead Games, Music Inc, Musa Ancestral Streams solo piano, Regeneration and a possible multi-piano piece inspired by The Piano Choir. Tolliver said, “We’ll definitely honor Stanley as the co-founder of the label alongside me.”
• Special Performances: They will perform tracks from Mutima with Cecil McBee, and the evening will include a tribute to Bill Lee with music from the Lee family recordings.
• Spotlight on Emerging Talent: Tolliver’s influence extends to a new generation of jazz stars, including Keyon Harrold, Camille Thurman, Darrell Green and Victor Gould. “There’s so much great material to revisit and new projects in the works,” Tolliver said.
The concert is intended to be a testament to Strata-East’s profound cultural and sociopolitical significance, born in an era of radical change and unwavering artistic vision.
For ticket information, and to view a full schedule of the 2025 NYC Winter Jazz Fest, click HERE. DB
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