Alice Coltrane Ascension Ceremony to be held May 17 in NYC

Press release
Source: DL Media

On Ascension Day, May 17, 2007, the jazz community pays homage to Alice's legacy with a remembrance ceremony at the beautiful and historic St. John The Divine, 1047 Amsterdam Ave. at 112th St. in New York City. The memorial will be open to the public and begin at 7:30 p.m. Alice Coltrane's music and teachings embody an unshakable spiritual commitment that reflects her true love and devotion for God. This spiritual journey led her to found and teach at The Vedantic Center's Sai Anatam Ashram in Agoura Hills, California. She returned to recording after a 27-year hiatus with the beautiful CD Translinear Light in 2004, and recently completed work on her soon-to-be-released, Sacred Language of Ascension.

With the passing of Alice Coltrane on January 12, 2007 at the age of 69, the world lost one of the true musical innovators of the past century. As an early pioneer of electronic keyboards, extended composition, jazz harp, spirituality, African and Eastern form and sound in her music, Alice Coltrane's imprint remains one of the most unique and radiant musical voices in the jazz world.

"Celebrating my mother's beautiful life with an evening devoted to her music, performed by the musicians that appeared on the original recordings, in this sacred space seems like the most fitting tribute we, her family, could offer," noted Alice's son, Ravi.

Among those paying tribute include: Geri Allen, Rashied Ali, Ravi Coltrane, Jack DeJohnette, Charlie Haden, Roy Haynes, and Reggie Workman--many of whom have collaborated with Mrs. Coltrane over the years.

As mother, grandmother, musician, composer and spiritual leader Swamini Alice Coltrane Turiyasangitananda lives on in the hearts of all those whose lives she touched and continues to touch.

For more information on Alice Coltrane, please visit www.alicecoltrane.org.

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