Isaiah Collier celebrates John Coltrane

Isaiah Collier | Saxophone
John Beasley | Conductor

We honor John Coltrane's 100th birthday together with Isaiah Collier: the young saxophonist from Chicago is spiritually very close to Coltrane. Fans of the Hessischer Rundfunk big band can look forward to hearing Coltrane's masterpiece "A Love Supreme", in Jim McNeely's version, live once more. The programme also features music by Isaiah Collier himself, newly arranged by Grammy Award winner John Beasley!

Isaiah Collier began his career in Ernest Dawkins' Young Masters Quartet before forming his own band. Like John Coltrane, spirituality in music is very close to his heart. His albums explore faith, convictions, wisdom, and African American cultural heritage. His compositions fascinate through their depth of content and move through their gripping emotionality. He already captivated the Frankfurt audience with his band "Chosen Few" during an acclaimed performance at the German Jazz Festival.

John Beasley has won his two Grammys for Best Arrangement. Last year our joint album "Returning to Forever" was nominated for another Grammy. John's arrangements achieve memorability and lightness without sacrificing artistic depth and technical virtuosity.

John Coltrane composed the album "A Love Supreme" in 1964 as a suite and recorded it in a single session. To this day it is frequently cited and revered. It is one of jazz's truly timeless masterpieces, touching people with its ethereal power then and now.

Concert duration: approx. 120 minutes - including intermission