Alice Coltrane facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alice Coltrane
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Coltrane in 2006
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| Born |
Alice McLeod
August 27, 1937 Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
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| Died | January 12, 2007 (aged 69) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Other names | Turiyasangitananda |
| Spouse(s) |
Kenny Hagood
(m. 1960, divorced) |
| Children | 4, including Ravi |
| Family | Ernie Farrow (half brother) Flying Lotus (grand nephew) |
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| Years active | 1962–2006 |
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Alice Coltrane (born Alice McLeod; August 27, 1937 – January 12, 2007) was an American jazz musician and composer. She was also known by her spiritual name, Turiyasangitananda. Alice was a talented pianist and one of the few harp players in jazz history. She led her own bands and recorded many albums, starting in the late 1960s.
She was married to the famous jazz saxophonist John Coltrane. She played with his band from 1966 to 1967. Alice Coltrane was a key figure in a style called "spiritual jazz." Her unique music influenced many artists both in and outside of jazz. Later in her life, she became a swamini, which is a female spiritual teacher in the Hindu tradition. She focused more on her religious studies and founded a spiritual center and ashram (a spiritual community) in California. She recorded albums of Hindu devotional songs before returning to jazz in the 2000s.
Contents
About Alice Coltrane
Her Early Life and Music (1937–1965)
Alice McLeod was born on August 27, 1937, in Detroit, Michigan. She grew up in a family that loved music. Her mother sang in the church choir. Her half-brother, Ernie Farrow, became a jazz bassist. Her younger sister, Marilyn McLeod, wrote songs for Motown.
Alice's father encouraged her to pursue music. She played in clubs around Detroit. In the late 1950s, she moved to Paris, France. There, she studied classical music and jazz with Bud Powell. She also played piano at the Blue Note Jazz Club. She even appeared on French television.
In 1962–63, she played with the Terry Gibbs quartet. During this time, she met John Coltrane. They married in 1965. Alice had a daughter named Michelle, and John became her stepfather. Alice and John had three children together: John Jr. (born 1964), Ravi (born 1965), and Oranyan (born 1967). Ravi became a saxophonist, just like his father.
Her Solo Music Journey (1967–1978)
Alice and John Coltrane's shared interest in spirituality influenced some of John's music. In 1966, Alice joined John Coltrane's band as the pianist. She played with him until he passed away in 1967.
After John's death, Alice continued to create music. She wanted to share her musical and spiritual ideas. Her first album, A Monastic Trio, came out in 1967. From 1968 to 1977, she released many albums as a bandleader and composer.
Over time, her music became more spiritual and "cosmic." Albums like Universal Consciousness (1971) and World Galaxy (1972) showed her moving from a small band to a larger, orchestral sound. She used beautiful string arrangements and flowing harp sounds. She released music with Impulse! Records and later with Warner Bros. Records. She then took a break from public performances.
Her Spiritual Path (1975–1995)
After her husband passed away, Alice went through a difficult time. She sought spiritual guidance from Hindu teachers. By 1972, she moved to California. In 1975, she started the Vedantic Center. Later, in the late 1970s, she changed her name to Turiyasangitananda.
She became the spiritual leader, or swamini, of the Shanti Anantam Ashram. This ashram was established by the Vedantic Center in 1983 near Malibu. Alice led spiritual ceremonies at the ashram. She performed solo chants called bhajans and group chants called kirtans. She created new melodies for traditional chants. She also began using synthesizers in her music.
This led to her first spiritual album, Turiya Sings, in 1982. This album was mainly for members of the ashram. She released three more spiritual albums: Divine Songs (1987), Infinite Chants (1990), and Glorious Chants (1995). A collection of songs from her ashram tapes was released to the public in 2017.
Sadly, the ashram was destroyed in the 2018 Woolsey Fire.
Her Later Years (1995–2007)
In the 1990s, people became interested in Alice Coltrane's music again. This led to a compilation album called Astral Meditations. In 2004, she released a new album called Translinear Light.
After 25 years away from major public concerts, she performed three times in the U.S. in 2006. One concert was on September 23, which would have been John Coltrane's 80th birthday. Her last concert was on November 4, 2006, at the San Francisco Jazz Festival. She performed with her son Ravi, drummer Roy Haynes, and bassist Charlie Haden.
Alice Coltrane passed away on January 12, 2007, at age 69. She is buried next to John Coltrane in New York.
Her Impact on Music
Alice Coltrane's music has inspired many artists. Musician Paul Weller dedicated his song "Song for Alice" to her. The band Sunn O))) also has a song called "Alice" inspired by her.
Electronic musician Steve "Flying Lotus" Ellison is Alice Coltrane's grand-nephew. On his 2010 album Cosmogramma, he honored her with a song called "Drips//Auntie's Harp." He used a sample of her harp playing from her album Ptah, the El Daoud. The song "That Alice" by Laura Veirs is also about Alice Coltrane.
Sadly, some of Alice Coltrane's original music recordings were lost in the 2008 Universal Studios fire.
Her Music Albums
Alice Coltrane released many albums as a leader and also played on albums with other musicians.
As a Leader
- A Monastic Trio (1968)
- Journey in Satchidananda (1971)
- Universal Consciousness (1971)
- World Galaxy (1972)
- Illuminations (1974) with Carlos Santana
- Translinear Light (2004)
- The Ecstatic Music of Alice Coltrane Turiyasangitananda (Compilation, 2017)
With John Coltrane
- Live at the Village Vanguard Again! (1966)
- Expression (1967)
- Cosmic Music (1968)
See Also
In Spanish: Alice Coltrane para niños
- List of jazz arrangers
