Mar 18, 2025 3:00 PM
A Love Supreme at 60: Thoughts on Coltrane’s Masterwork
In his original liner notes to A Love Supreme, John Coltrane wrote: “Yes, it is true — ‘seek and ye shall…
Green rose to prominence in the 1960s, performing with jazz greats such as Charles Mingus, Sonny Stitt and Elvin Jones.
(Photo: Michael Jackson)Vernice “Bunky” Green, the trailblazing alto saxophonist, composer and educator, passed away on March 1 at age 91. Known for his bold harmonic approach and deeply expressive sound, Green was a pioneering figure in modern jazz, influencing generations of musicians with his adventurous improvisation and commitment to pushing artistic boundaries.
Born in Milwaukee on April 23, 1933, Green rose to prominence in the 1960s, performing with jazz greats such as Charles Mingus, Sonny Stitt and Elvin Jones. His early recordings showcased a unique approach to bebop, but it was his later work — marked by angular lines, unconventional phrasing and a forward-thinking harmonic sensibility — that cemented his reputation as an innovator.
Beyond his contributions as a performer, Green was a dedicated educator who profoundly impacted jazz education. He taught at Chicago State University from 1972 to 1989, and in 1990 he took up the directorship of the jazz studies program at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, where he mentored countless students, inspiring them to find their own voices in the ever-evolving world of jazz until his retirement in 2011. He is a past president of the International Association of Jazz Education and was inducted into the IAJE Hall of Fame in 1999. In 2003 Green was inducted into the DownBeat Hall of Fame for Jazz Education. His influence extended far beyond the classroom, as his recordings and performances continued to inspire musicians around the globe.
Despite never achieving mainstream fame, Green remained a musician’s musician, admired for his fearless creativity and deep emotional connection to his instrument. His 1989 session on the Delos label, Healing The Pain, commemorates the death of his parents and was awarded a 5-star rating in DownBeat. Green’s 2006 studio album Another Place also received a 5-star review from DownBeat. His 2008 album Apex, a collaboration with fellow saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa, introduced his music to a new generation and reaffirmed his status as one of the most forward-thinking altoists of his time.
Green’s legacy lives on through his recordings, his students and the lasting impact of his innovative spirit. He was preceded in death by his wife, Edith “Edie” Green, and is survived by family, friends and the countless students and musicians he inspired. DB
“This is one of the great gifts that Coltrane gave us — he gave us a key to the cosmos in this recording,” says John McLaughlin.
Mar 18, 2025 3:00 PM
In his original liner notes to A Love Supreme, John Coltrane wrote: “Yes, it is true — ‘seek and ye shall…
The Blue Note Jazz Festival New York kicks off May 27 with a James Moody 100th Birthday Celebration at Sony Hall.
Apr 8, 2025 1:23 PM
Blue Note Entertainment Group has unveiled the lineup for the 14th annual Blue Note Jazz Festival New York, featuring…
“I’m certainly influenced by Geri Allen,” said Iverson, during a live Blindfold Test at the 31st Umbria Jazz Winter festival.
Apr 15, 2025 11:44 AM
Between last Christmas and New Year’s Eve, Ethan Iverson performed as part of the 31st Umbria Jazz Winter festival in…
“At the end of the day, once you’ve run out of differences, we’re left with similarities,” Collier says. “Cultural differences are mitigated through 12 notes.”
Apr 15, 2025 11:55 AM
DownBeat has a long association with the Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conference, the premiere…
“It kind of slows down, but it’s still kind of productive in a way, because you have something that you can be inspired by,” Andy Bey said on a 2019 episode of NPR Jazz Night in America, when he was 80. “The music is always inspiring.”
Apr 29, 2025 11:53 AM
Singer Andy Bey, who illuminated the jazz scene for five decades with a four-octave range that encompassed a bellowing…
