Ravi Coltrane Performs Live and Previews Coltrane Festival

Summary

Podcast Summary: All Of It – "Ravi Coltrane Performs Live and Previews Coltrane Festival"

Podcast Information:

• Title: All Of It
• Host: Alison Stewart
• Producer: WNYC
• Description: ALL OF IT is a show about culture and its consumers, aiming to engage thinkers, doers, makers, and creators in discussions about the what and why of their work. The show celebrates the diverse cultural landscape of New York City through conversations with artists and cultural figures.

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Episode Details:

• Title: Ravi Coltrane Performs Live and Previews Coltrane Festival
• Release Date: December 10, 2024
• Guest: Ravi Coltrane, saxophonist and composer
• Event: 12th Annual Coltrane Festival at Smoke Jazz Club, 2751 Broadway, New York City
• Performance Dates: December 11th – December 15th, 2024

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Introduction and Festival Kick-Off [00:17 – 01:10]

Host Alison Stewart introduces the episode by announcing the commencement of the 12th Annual Coltrane Festival at Smoke Jazz Club. The festival is a multi-week celebration honoring the legacy of John Coltrane, featuring performances and engagements with his work. Alison highlights Ravi Coltrane, son of John and Alice Coltrane, as the opening act for the festival.

Key Points:

• Festival Description: A celebration of John Coltrane’s life and music.
• Ravi Coltrane's Role: Opening performer with his trio.

Quote:

“The festival is a multi-week celebration of the life and music of John Coltrane in which musicians are invited to perform and engage with Coltrane's work on stage.” [00:17]

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Live Performance Segment [01:10 – 06:30]

Ravi Coltrane performs a live rendition of John Coltrane’s piece “Countdown” from the 1959 album Giant Steps. The performance showcases Ravi’s dedication to his father’s legacy and his own artistry.

Key Points:

• Performance Piece: “Countdown” from Giant Steps.
• Supporting Musician: G. Lahavi on piano.
• Connection to John Coltrane: Emphasizes the historical significance of the piece.

Quote:

“It's the grand old year of 1959. From a record called Giant Steps... The tune's called Countdown.” [01:12]

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Discussion on Performance Approach [06:30 – 07:17]

Alison inquires about Ravi’s approach to selecting his setlist for the upcoming festival performances. Ravi explains his preference for spontaneity and adaptability, allowing the music to evolve organically during live performances.

Key Points:

• Setlist Selection: Chooses tunes that feel appropriate for the space and players.
• Improvisational Approach: Prefers to work out arrangements on the day of the performance for an element of surprise.

Quote:

“We'll pick a bunch of tunes that feel appropriate for the space, for the players. I like to kind of work things out the day of the performance.” [06:52]

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Ravi Coltrane’s Musical Journey [07:17 – 09:54]

Ravi shares his musical background, detailing his transition from the clarinet to the saxophone during his teenage years. He reflects on his growing appreciation for jazz music post-high school and his desire to contribute meaningfully to the genre.

Key Points:

• Early Instrument: Clarinet, played from junior high through high school.
• Transition to Saxophone: Motivated by both personal interest and the allure of the instrument.
• Love for Jazz: Deepened in his post-high school years, leading to a career in jazz.

Quote:

“You can get more girls with a saxophone. At least that's what they told me. Maybe I should have stuck to the clarinet.” [07:43]

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Influence of Family and Legacy [09:38 – 12:18]

The conversation shifts to Ravi’s mother, Alice Coltrane, and her profound influence on his life and music. Ravi reminisces about his mother's spiritual and musical environment, her dedication to the Baptist church, and her exploration of diverse musical styles, including Indian music.

Key Points:

• Alice Coltrane’s Role: Renowned musician and spiritual seeker.
• Home Environment: Filled with spiritual hymns and diverse musical influences.
• Personal Reflections: Ravi acknowledges his evolving understanding of his mother's dedication and artistry.

Quotes:

“My mother was Alice Coltrane... Very unconventional, very kind and a real seeker.” [10:11]

“She would play my father's records... she loved Hindi music.” [11:00]

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Final Live Performance Preview [13:13 – 14:16]

Ravi introduces another John Coltrane piece, “Expression,” from his father’s last recording session on the album Expression. He reflects on John Coltrane’s prolific yet brief recording career, emphasizing the expressive depth of his later works.

Key Points:

• Final Recording: “Expression” from the album Expression.
• John Coltrane’s Career: Span of approximately 13 years, with significant contributions to jazz.
• Expressiveness: Highlighting the emotional depth in his father’s later music.

Quote:

“His later music is often... very, very expressive.” [13:19]

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Upcoming European Tour [19:27 – 20:50]

Alison reveals Ravi's upcoming tour in Europe, featuring performances with Wayne Shorter, Danilo Prez, John Patitucci, and Brian Blade. Ravi expresses his honor in collaborating with such esteemed musicians and his admiration for Wayne Shorter’s innovative contributions to music.

Key Points:

• Tour Details: Collaboration with Wayne Shorter and other notable musicians.
• Preparation: Emphasizes punctuality and readiness for the tour.
• Musical Vision: Appreciation for Wayne Shorter’s visionary approach to improvised music.

Quotes:

“Wayne is one of the last great musical visionaries... It’s a real honor to be a part of that project.” [19:33]

“Head to the airport on time, which I tend to have an issue with.” [19:55]

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Advice to Aspiring Musicians [20:56 – 21:04]

When asked about advice for young musicians aiming to follow in his footsteps, Ravi offers a humorous yet earnest response. He encourages musicians to pursue their unique creative instincts and maintain authenticity in their artistry.

Key Points:

• Encouragement: Follow your heart and creative desires.
• Authenticity: Emphasizes the importance of personal expression over conforming to trends.
• Virtue of Musicianship: Highlights the honor of being able to uplift and inspire others through music.

Quotes:

“They don’t always have to feel compelled to conform to whatever the expectation of the moment is.” [21:04]

“It is a great, great virtue to be a musician.” [21:00]

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Inspiration and Creative Pursuits [22:07 – 23:19]

Ravi discusses his sources of inspiration, mentioning his sons, William and Aaron, as well as the dynamic energy of playing with young musicians like Gary Lahavi and Elay Howell. Additionally, he shares his passion for cooking, a hobby he developed during the pandemic, which allows him to explore creativity outside of music.

Key Points:

• Sources of Inspiration: His sons and young, talented musicians.
• Staying Young: Engaging with vibrant, creative environments keeps him inspired.
• Cooking: A creative outlet developed during the pandemic, focusing on grilling and preparing diverse dishes.

Quotes:

“I have my two sons. Inspire me. They’re fantastic artists and musicians.” [22:11]

“I like to get in there and burn... I love to make steaks and chicken and fish.” [23:06]

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Conclusion and Final Announcements [23:19 – 23:38]

Alison wraps up the episode by reminding listeners of Ravi Coltrane’s upcoming performances at Smoke Jazz Club as part of the 12th Annual Coltrane Festival. Ravi expresses his gratitude for the opportunity to participate.

Key Points:

• Performance Dates: December 11th – December 15th, 2024.
• Festival Duration: December 11th – January 5th, 2025.
• Gratitude: Ravi thanks Alison and the audience for the opportunity.

Quote:

“Thank you so much for joining us. We really appreciate your time today.” [23:38]

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Notable Exclusions: Advertisements and Sponsorships

The transcript includes advertisements and sponsorship messages (e.g., Instacart promotion and WNYC sponsorship details) starting around the [23:38] mark. These sections have been omitted from the summary to maintain focus on the episode's content.

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Conclusion:

This episode of All Of It provides an intimate glimpse into Ravi Coltrane's musical journey, his dedication to preserving and expanding his father's legacy, and his insights into creativity and inspiration. Through live performances and thoughtful discussions, Ravi shares his passion for jazz, family influences, and personal pursuits, offering listeners a deep and engaging exploration of culture and context within the vibrant New York City scene.

Transcript

[WNYC Studios]

Listener supported WNYC Studios.

[Alison Stewart]

This is all of it on WNYC. I'm Alison Stewart. The Smoke Jazz Club at 2751 Broadway will host its 12th annual Coltrane Festival and it kicks off tomorrow. The festival is a multi week celebration of the life and music of of John Coltrane in which musicians are invited to perform and engage with Coltrane's work on stage. A fitting artist to kick off this year's festival, Ravi Coltrane, an accomplice saxophonist and composer, and he's the son of John and Alice Coltrane. Ravi Coltrane and his trio will perform at Smoke jazz club from December 11th through December 15th. And I'm excited to say they are in studio with me right now. Nice to meet you, Robby.

[Ravi Coltrane]

Nice meeting you, Allison. How are you?

[Alison Stewart]

I'm doing well. I'm going to get to hear you play some music and we're all going to hear you play music.

[Ravi Coltrane]

What are you going to play first, Leslie? Change the station.

[Alison Stewart]

Don't do that.

[Ravi Coltrane]

Or they can find us later somewhere online maybe, but don't. Yeah, don't turn that dial.

[Alison Stewart]

So what are you going to play for us?

[Ravi Coltrane]

Well, we're going to play some John Coltrane music. Given that's the theme, I suppose. It's also music that I love to play. And we have the fabulous G. Lahavi here on piano. So we'll be doing some duets of this music and I think we'll start with something from the grand old year of 1959.

[Alison Stewart]

Okay. All right.

[Ravi Coltrane]

From a record called Giant Steps. Now I feel like the dj.

[Alison Stewart]

I know I'm relaxed.

[Ravi Coltrane]

I'm like, what are you trying to tell me, Robin?

[Alison Stewart]

What are we gonna hear today?

[Ravi Coltrane]

This is on a record called Giant Steps. My father recorded this in 1959 right here in the beautiful city of New York. New York City. It's called. The tune's called Countdown Countdown.

[Alison Stewart]

Let's hear it.

[Ravi Coltrane]

Countdown. Countdown. SA.

[Alison Stewart]

That's Ravi Coltrane. He's here to perform for us live ahead of his residency at the Smoke Jazz Club. Starting tomorrow night through December 15th. The sets are part of Smoke's 12th annual Coltrane Festival, happening December 11th through January 5th. So you're gonna start tomorrow. You're gonna start the Coltrane Festival tomorrow. Do you have any sense of what you're gonna play or do you decide on the spot?

[Ravi Coltrane]

Never, never, never. A sense that takes the fun out of it. Well, of course. Yeah. We'll pick a bunch of tunes that feel appropriate for the space, for the players. I like to kind of work Things out the day of the performance. Really, it kind of helps that surprise element. If it's there for the band, it's definitely going to be there for the audience.

[Alison Stewart]

Well, let's play in the go back machine. You start out playing the clarinet.

[Ravi Coltrane]

I did, I did. That was my first instrument. I started in junior high. So however old you are when you were in Junior High, 11, 12, something like that. And I played that through junior high and through high school. I was in the marching band, and then I switched to saxophone shortly after high school.

[Alison Stewart]

What made you switch to sax?

[Ravi Coltrane]

You can get more girls with a saxophone. At least that's what they told me. Maybe I should have stuck to the clarinet. Now I. Well, the saxophone is a beautiful, beautiful instrument, you know, And I started listening to jazz music more seriously after high school. You know, it seemed to resonate with me in a way. You know, I hadn't connected with it when I was younger. You know, I always appreciated the music, but later in my life, it really started to have a lot of meaning for me. So, yeah, I wanted to be a part of that meaning.

[Alison Stewart]

When you started studying your father's music, what did you appreciate about it?

[Ravi Coltrane]

It's uniqueness. It's absolute uniqueness. I think that's the real beauty of the jazz greats, that any great creative artist, they have such a personal voice. And there's a tendency to want to just do that, just to copy that. Let me just sound like this other guy who sounded like no one else. And that just seems to not be the principle by how they formed their styles. I think it was a real imperative, a must, that each player had embraced their own kind of uniqueness in music and their own personal approach to improvisation and playing. So, yeah, I appreciated that as much as, again, everything that he contributed to music was so, you know, selfless and just very, very grand, you know. But he did it in his own way, you know, with a lot of courage and, you know, not. Not afraid of being himself.

[Alison Stewart]

We don't want to forget mom either.

[Ravi Coltrane]

No, can't do that. Can't do that.

[Alison Stewart]

She's a renowned musician herself. What are your memories of her as a musician?

[Ravi Coltrane]

Well.

[Alison Stewart]

Or was it just Mom?

[Ravi Coltrane]

Well, it's a whole lot of Mom.

[Alison Stewart]

A whole lot of mom, right?

[Ravi Coltrane]

Yeah. She raised me and.

[Alison Stewart]

Do you need to take a sip of water?

[Ravi Coltrane]

Go ahead.

[Alison Stewart]

You're about to.

[Ravi Coltrane]

Okay. Here we go.

[Alison Stewart]

There we go.

[Ravi Coltrane]

Thank you.

[Alison Stewart]

Sure.

[Ravi Coltrane]

Of course, it's not like it's a sauna in here or anything, but.

[Alison Stewart]

Talking.

[Ravi Coltrane]

About mom, my mother was Alice Coltrane. Again, a very, very. Another very unique person in music, but also in life. Very unconventional, very kind and a real seeker. And I think that was the same person she was her whole life. She was a beautiful mother.

[Alison Stewart]

What kind of. Oh, sorry. I'm sorry.

[Ravi Coltrane]

No, no, no, it's all right.

[Alison Stewart]

I'm curious. What kind of music when you were young, did she play around the house?

[Ravi Coltrane]

Well, she was often at the piano or the organ, kind of playing these, like, spiritual hymns, you know, very quiet pieces, songs of praise, things that she'd learned as a young girl playing in the Baptist church. She was the organist for her church in Detroit. Since she was a very young girl, she was playing organ and, you know, she got into bebop music. Later, her brother was a bassist named Ernest Farrow, who got my mind into jazz and. But the music she played at home, you know, she would play my father's records. You know, I would hear those records. You know, she, you know, she played, you know, music from India. She loved Hindi music and, you know, but mainly it was, you know, her. You know, I'd come home from school and she'd be sitting at the organ playing these hymns, you know, and just singing kind of quietly to herself, you know. And I was a bit too young again to appreciate the depth and the beauty of her commitment at that time. You know, I would just, you know, jump off my bike, race to the front door, say, hi, mom, go right to the television. Yeah, like your average 12 or 13 year old. But, yeah, Alice was very, very special. Very special.

[Alison Stewart]

It's interesting, you said you were too young to understand. Most kids are like that. When did you sort of understand?

[Ravi Coltrane]

I'm still working on it. It's definitely a process. I think the longer you live and the more that you experience and the more that you go through the world and connect with others, you start to recognize where the real values are in life and friendships and kind of this collective spirit of. Of love and humanity, you know, combined with creativity and art and music, you know, can be a very, very powerful thing.

[Alison Stewart]

My guest is Ravi Coltrane. They're going to have at Smalls Jazz. Excuse me, Smoke Jazz Club. They're going to be starting tomorrow night. He's going to be playing part of their 12th annual Coltrane Festival. You're going to play a little bit more for us now. What are we going to hear?

[Ravi Coltrane]

Yes, we're going to play something. Another John Coltrane piece. This was actually the last thing that my father recorded.

[Alison Stewart]

Oh, wow.

[Ravi Coltrane]

You know, his career, his recording career spans about 13 years, really, his professional recording career. There's recordings of him playing in the early 1950s, but really it's around 1955 when he starts to record with Miles, you know, and 12 years later, 67 is, you know, when he passes away. So he was able to accomplish so much in such a very short span of time. And his later music is often. Well, it's not as appreciated as the music that he made in the first part of his career. But the last two years of his music, the music expanded and got very expressive. Very, very expressive, you know. And we're actually going to play a piece from his last recording session. The album was called Expression, and the piece is called Expression.

[Alison Stewart]

This is Robbie Coltrane SA that was Ravi Coltrane performing. He'll be performing at the Smoke Jazz Club starting tomorrow night through December 15th. The sets are part of the Smoke's 12th annual Coltrane Festival. Happy December 11th through January 5th. And I forgot Gatti's last name. Lahavi. Gadi Lahavi on piano. You're preparing to go to Europe this spring.

[Ravi Coltrane]

Oh, really?

[Alison Stewart]

Yeah.

[Ravi Coltrane]

No one's told me.

[Alison Stewart]

Oh, nobody told you? Moving on. Let's talk about that.

[Ravi Coltrane]

Yes, I am going to do something in Europe this spring with Wayne Shorter. Tribute with Danilo Prez and John Patitucci and Brian Blade.

[Alison Stewart]

How do you prepare for a tour in Europe, to spend time in Europe? Do you record? Do you practice? Do you just. You pack?

[Ravi Coltrane]

Yeah.

[Alison Stewart]

That's all you do is you just go.

[Ravi Coltrane]

Head to the airport on time, which I tend to have an issue with. But, well, a tour like this, it's a great, great honor to be with these musicians who spent so long, 20 plus years performing with Wayne Shorter. And they asked me to be a part of this tour, and I was absolutely honored and thrilled. Wayne is one of the last great, great musical visionaries, in my opinion, thought and feeling in regard to this music, this improvised music that we do. He was such another unconventional thinker and creator, and all of his music is. It's priceless, and it's a real honor to be a part of that project.

[Alison Stewart]

When you're talking to young musicians who want to be in your position one day, what advice do you give them?

[Ravi Coltrane]

Don't do it. It's quite.

[Alison Stewart]

Can you do anything if you can do anything else?

[Ravi Coltrane]

Well, it's. It's. I mean, it's. There's. It's a real virtue and an honor to be a musician to be able to play and express your creative thoughts and your, you know, all of your inner intuitions and impressions and feelings, you know, to be able to put that all through, out through music and have that affect all those that hear it, hopefully uplift them and inspire them. It is a great, great virtue. So I always encourage musicians to follow their heart, really go after the music that they want to make and play. They don't always have to feel compelled to conform to whatever the expectation of the moment is, you know, they'll have more fun if they follow their intuitions and their. And their. And their musical desires, you know, and it will help them to hopefully achieve something more personal, something that's really, truly coming from them. As artists.

[Alison Stewart]

Where do you go to find inspiration?

[Ravi Coltrane]

Well, I have my two sons. Inspire me. They're fantastic artists and musicians, William and Aaron. I try to stay around really fantastic young players like Gary Lahavi, who I've been playing with for a very, very long time. Our drummer is Elay Howell, another incredible young musician. Jason Klotter is going to be playing bass with us. Being. Yeah, being around young players, you know, keeps you young.

[Alison Stewart]

What other creative pursuits do you have rather than music? For most people, music is their creative pursuit.

[Ravi Coltrane]

Cooking. Cooking, yeah. The pandemic kind of inspired that, you know, every restaurant being closed and the supermarkets being, you know, not very stocked. Yeah, I got really into cooking. I love it.

[Alison Stewart]

What do you make? I gotta hear what you make.

[Ravi Coltrane]

I like to. I like to. I like to get in there and burn, you know, I like to get the, you know, cast iron going really hot. I love to make steaks and chicken and fish, you know.

[Alison Stewart]

Want to remind people that Ravi Coltrane, he will be at Smoke Jazz Club at 2751 Broadway starting tomorrow night through December 15th. The sets are part of Smoke's 12th annual Coltrane Festival, happening December 11th through January 5th. Thank you so much for joining us. We really appreciate your time today.

[Ravi Coltrane]

It was our pleasure. Thank you so much.

[Alison Stewart]

There's more. All of it on the way.

[WNYC Studios]

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[Ravi Coltrane]

Org.