Overview:
• Ravi Coltrane, son of jazz legends John and Alice Coltrane, will perform at Memorial Hall in Cincinnati on June 2.
• The saxophonist, known for embracing his heritage, has released multiple albums and collaborated with renowned musicians.
• He is a leader in efforts to restore the John Coltrane Home in New Jersey.
By Bill Thompson
The name Ravi Coltrane will grab the attention of music fans whether they are familiar with his music or not.
The son of jazz legends John and Alice Coltrane, who was named after their friend, Indian sitar master Ravi Shankar, stands on his own talent in the jazz world while embracing his heritage. He leads the effort to restore the John Coltrane Home in Dix Hills, New Jersey, and presides over reissues of his parents’ recordings.
The saxophonist visits Cincinnati June 2 as part of the Longworth-Anderson Series at Memorial Hall with keyboard player Gadi Lehavi, drummer Ele Howell and special guest Robin Eubanks on trombone.
Coltrane was born in New York, but moved to Los Angeles with his mother and brother after his father’s death when he was less than 2 years old. He played clarinet before switching to saxophone, the instrument that made his father famous. He has played with such luminaries as Elvin Jones, Pharoah Sanders, McCoy Tyner, Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, Herbie Hancock and Branford Marsalis.
After playing on more than 30 albums for other folks, he released his debut, “Moving Pictures,” in 1998. He has made five more albums including his latest, “Spirit Fiction,” in 2012. He continues to collaborate with a number of high-profile musicians and travel the world playing concerts.
In March, he played four nights in San Francisco as Resident Artistic Director of SFJAZZ. The first night included sets with his trio and a quartet that included bass player Dezron Douglas, pianist David Virelles and drummer Johnathan Blake, who Coltrane has toured with for more than a decade. The second night was a tribute to sax giant Pharoah Sanders that included Tomoki Sanders, his son, and Joe Lovano. The final two evenings, “Cosmic Music,” featured compositions by his mother and father.
Longworth-Anderson Series presents Ravi Coltrane, Sunday, 6:30 p.m. June 2, Memorial Hall, 1225 Elm Street, Over-the-Rhine, 45202. Tickets: $36.50-$66.50. Information: Longworth-AndersonSeries.com; MemorialHallOTR.com; 513-977-8838.