A week of music, performance, and community honors jazz master John William Coltrane’s centennial birth anniversary
The 1965 release of A Love Supreme was a watershed moment in jazz history. Composed of a suite in four parts, it is widely considered one of the greatest and most spiritual achievements in jazz history and is one of the highest-ranking jazz records on all-genre greatest albums.
And on Sunday, you can experience it as a sacred jazz mass with Ali Jackson as music director, plus special guest musicians in concert. The event is part of a week of events celebrating the 100th anniversary of the jazz legends birth.
Detroit Celebrates Coltrane 100, September 17th – 23rd, brings history into the present with exciting programs featuring Detroit musical favorites and national guests performing and interpreting Coltrane classics alongside new compositions and contemporary beats. The week also weaves in dance, drama, spoken word, DJ’s, visual art installations and screenings of vintage video footage — all in tribute to the musician who changed what jazz could be.
Coltrane has a deep connection to Detroit. In 1963, he married Detroit native and fellow jazz musician and Cass Tech grad Alice McLeod Coltrane. The couple toured and performed together from 1966-1967.
John Coltrane frequently performed in Detroit throughout his career. He frequented local jazz clubs and often collaborated with other Detroit musicians. According to the jazz history website, AllAboutJazz, “Coltrane’s last appearance in Detroit was on January 22, 1967, as part of a George Wein organized tour that also featured Thelonious Monk. The performance took place at Ford Auditorium, then the home of the Detroit Symphony. Coltrane sat in with Monk’s band, reviving a relationship that was prominent during Monk’s famed residency at the Five Spot in New York in 1957.”
They note that, “Ironically, the Ford was demolished in 2011 for Detroit waterfront re-design. It stood where the current Hart Plaza is located—the site of the Detroit Jazz Festival, the largest free jazz festival in the world.”
Njia Kai, co-founder and senior producer of NKSK Events + Production, and also the founder of The Temple of John Coltrane a recurring cultural and musical celebration in Detroit that she curated to honor the life, spiritual jazz legacy, and birthdays of jazz legends John and Alice Coltrane.
For decades, Kai has engaged Detroit’s families, youth, and visitors through public events, cultural arts programming, and community-driven creative projects — including downtown parks programming, citywide arts festivals, and special events throughout downtown, Midtown and Detroit’s neighborhoods.
She shared how her love for Coltrane developed, “At age 9, babysitting at my next door neighbor’s house, the dad changed the stereo to WJLB because they was playing a jazz record he said I would not understand.” She jokingly says, “Them was fighting words cuz I was sure I was as mature as most adults, just not “old” yet. When he left I put the stereo back on and restarted the LP.”
She notes, “Of course I recognized the song from the Sound of Music, (My Favorite Things.) And I just kept re-starting the album when the sax started spacing out. After several many re-starts, I found my way, at least enough of my way to hold the basic frame of the music until Trane returned to the familiar melody.”
“I had the privilege in high school of being introduced to jazz music and musicians — like Harold McKinney and Marcus Belgrave — and befriending jazz students like Kevin Toney and Kamau Kenyatta. It was natural for me, it seems. Immersing myself in the rhythms and tones and beats brings my Spirit joy!”
If you want to bring your spirit joy, join veteran jazz musicians, emerging artists, and young players from Detroit high schools and colleges, alongside photographs, recordings, memorabilia, and video documentation of Coltrane’s life and work.
Here’s the schedule for the week. All Events are Admission Free.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 * Kick-Off! — Eastern Market After Dark 6:00–11 p.m.
The week opens at Eastern Market with live music and an interactive installation.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 * Happy Jazzy Hour — Griot Music Lounge 4:30–10 p.m. Cocktails, DJs, music, trivia and prizes set the tone for Friday night, in partnership with Urban Organic.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 * A Jazzy Cypher — The Wright Museum 5:30–7:30 p.m.
All aboard the “A Trane” for a night of rhythm, poetry, storytelling, dance, and installation art.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 * A Love Supreme — Detroit Unity Temple 5:00–6:30 p.m.
A sacred jazz mass presenting Coltrane’s four-movement masterpiece “A Love Supreme”. Ali Jackson, music director, plus special guest musicians in concert.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 * Homie Hangz — Trumbullplex 7:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.
Professional DJ’s guide hands-on workshops for all ages and levels. Demonstrations led by Maurice “Pirahnahead” Herd, Detroit music producer and DJ.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 * DJ Spin-Off Block Party — CHROMA Detroit 4:00–11 p.m. 4p–7p Month of Design panel/social mixer presented by Progressive Companies.
7p–11p Detroit’s hottest DJ’s go back-to-back-to-back :: DJ Stacey “Hotwaxx” Hale,
DJ Mike “Agent X” Clark, DJ Invisible, DJ Drake Phifer, DJ Scotty Rocker+more, hosted by NKSK.
Food Trucks, Cash Bar, Live Art, Creative Vendors, and Games.
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 23 * The Temple of John Coltrane — Campus Martius Park 6:30–9p.m.
The Centennial Celebration Concert features DeSean Jones & Urban Art Orchestra, special guest artists and outstanding emerging performers — plus classic performance videos, a Coltrane album exhibition with photographs and memorabilia. Food and drink sales.
You can reach Biba at Biba.Adams@Michronicle.com