JAZZ EVENT - NORTH CAROLINA

The John Coltrane International Festival The John Coltrane International Festival The 5th annual John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues Festival will take place in beautiful North Carolina in early September. The festival, based in Coltrane’s hometown area, celebrates him as being one of the most significant saxophonists in music history and his tremendous influence on jazz music. John Coltrane was born in 1923 in Hamlet, NC. He learned to play saxophone in High Point. While in high school, Coltrane’s musical influences were Lester Young and Johnny Hodges, who prompted him to switch to alto saxophone. Shortly after graduation, he moved to Philadelphia, PA where he began a study of the saxophone in earnest. Coltrane served in the US Navy during World War II and became part of the Pearl Harbor base swing band, the Melody Masters. His talents were quickly recognized, and his earliest known recordings happened in Hawaii with a group of Navy musicians in July of 1946. After being discharged from the Navy, Coltrane met, performed, and recorded with Dizzy Gillespie, Johnny Hodges, Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, and other jazz legends. In 1960 Coltrane formed his own quartet, which included pianist McCoy Tyner, bassist Jimmy Garrison and drummer Elvin Jones. The “classic” John Coltrane Quartet created some of the most quintessential albums in Jazz history including: My Favorite Things, Africa Brass, Impressions, Giant Steps, and his signature work A Love Supreme. The power and expressive eloquence of Coltrane’s music has influenced the generations of musicians to follow. If you’re in the North Carolina area, join the celebration at the John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues Festival, and be sure to tune in to our Bebop and Saxophone Jazz channels to hear his music every day on JAZZRADIO.com.