Second Annual John Coltrane Symposium

“One positive thought produces millions of positive vibrations.”
—John Coltrane

The John Coltrane Symposium in collaboration with Ars Nova Workshop is proud to announce its second annual celebration of the life and music of John William Coltrane. This year’s celebration will be held at The Woodlands in West Philadelphia, with additional events at The Discovery Center in Strawberry Mansion, from September 22 to 25, 2021.

This year’s symposium schedule includes an Autumn Equinox celebration and kickoff event, September 22, at the green West Philadelphia oasis of The Woodlands, featuring a very special performance by the Odean Pope / Immanuel Wilkins / Chad Taylor Trio.

The following night, September 23, we will celebrate Coltrane’s 95th birthday under the stars at the reservoir of The Discovery Center. Beginning with a musical march led by trombonist Brent White, from Coltrane’s house on 33rd Street to The Discovery Center, the evening will conclude with a performance of some of Trane’s seminal compositions, including Equinox, led by White and pianist Farid Barron.

On Friday, September 24, we will host a fundraising dinner with Honeysuckle Projects and curated by Esquire magazine’s “Chef of the Year,” Omar Tate.

Our final day will conclude on Saturday, September 25, with two panels of conversation about Coltrane and his impact on both the musical and Black communities of Philadelphia. The highlight of the two panels will be a roundtable discussion between three authors that have penned biographies on Coltrane. Most notable, authors Bill Cole and C.O. Simpkins’ biographies were the first two of three to be released in 1975 and 1976. Simpkins and Cole have not been in conversation together for over thirty years. The symposium will close out Saturday evening with a stirring musical performance from Philadelphia’s own Alfie Pollitt and his All-Star Quartet.

Complete program schedule and information coming soon.