Coltrane 100: Both Directions at Once
PROJECTS:
2026 marks the centennial of iconic saxophonist John Coltrane's birth. Coltrane 100: Both Directions at Once offers audiences a rare chance to join this historic moment. An all-star lineup, each from different backgrounds — saxophonists Joe Lovano and Melissa Aldana; pianist Ndudzo Makhathini, bassist Matthew Garrison, and drummer Jeff "Tain" Watts — join together to pay tribute to one of the most inspirational artists, whose creativity and spirituality has influenced generations of musicians. Each member of this group stands on the threshold of the future, fulfilling their musical vision looking forward.
Coltrane once explained his musical aspirations to fellow saxophonist Wayne Shorter as, “starting a sentence in the middle, and then going to the beginning and the end of it at the same time... both directions at once.” The Coltrane 100 band looks Both Directions at Once with modern interpretations of classic Coltrane repertoire from throughout his career, plus originals inspired by his legacy.
The Coltrane 100 tour is produced with the approval of Jowcol Music LLC o/b/o Estate of John Coltrane
QUOTES:
“starting a sentence in the middle, and then going to the beginning and the end of it at the same time…both directions at once."”
John Coltrane (as recalled by Wayne Shorter)
“My music is the spiritual expression of what I am - my faith, my knowledge, my being.”
John Coltrane
“When you begin to see the possibilities of music, you desire to do something good for people, to help humanity free itself from its hang-ups.”
John Coltrane
“I came to understand my voice as a pianist through John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme”
Ndudzo Makhathini
[On Joe Lovano]: “One of the jazz world’s most celebrated musicians”
NPR
[On Melissa Aldana]: “One of the preeminent tenor saxophone players in the world”
Stereophile
[On Matthew Garrison]: “Not merely a great electric bassist, he actually plays the instrument at the margins of human capability.”
All About Jazz
[On Ndudzo Makhathini]: “Makhathini has discovered paths back to the African roots of the music and created a sonic portrait that spans both time and geography”
DownBeat
[On Jeff “Tain” Watts]: “a supremely consequential drummer in the music — evolving the language of jazz drumming”
NPR Jazz Night in America
