Alice Coltrane Birthday Tribute Concert at GP
Presented in collaboration with dublab and The John & Alice Coltrane Home and featuring performances by Miguel Atwood-Ferguson and Surya Botofasina on August 27th
LOS ANGELES – (August 11, 2022) Grand Performances, the longest-running presenter of free outdoor concerts in downtown Los Angeles, in collaboration with dublab and The John & Alice Coltrane Home present Alice Coltrane: An Expansive Spirit, a tribute concert in celebration of the pioneering Jazz musician’s 85th birthday featuring performances by Miguel Atwood-Ferguson and Surya Botofasina on August 27 at California Plaza.
Singular musician and spiritual leader Alice Coltrane passed away in January 2007, her impact on music has left many still wanting to celebrate her life, with a continued public interest in her work. She was an extremely talented American jazz pianist, organist, harpist, singer, composer, and swamini. Her influence has permeated a new generation of jazz musicians with spiritual inclinations.
Renowned composer Miguel Atwood-Ferguson will conduct and arrange The Universal Consciousness Orchestra, a string and harp ensemble performing Alice Coltrane’s cosmic classics. Surya Botofasina of The Sai Anantam Ashram will lead an ensemble playing bhajans and progressive sounds inspired by Turiyasangitananda’s devotional music with featured vocalist Michelle Coltrane. Additional performances will include special guests and dublab DJs.
“The musical influence of Alice Coltrane lives on, she was ahead-of-her-time and her legacy stands on its own,” said GP’s Creative and Artistic Director Stewart Irel. “Grand Performances is excited to host her tribute concert, celebrating her life and influence, introducing her music to new generations.”
The Alice Coltrane: An Expansive Spirit tribute show is free, outdoors and welcomes all-ages at California Plaza (350 S Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90071) on Saturday, August 27 from 6pm-10pm.
About dublab:
A non-profit radio station founded in Los Angeles in 1999, dublab.com cultivates and supports local cultural ecosystems worldwide. Through community-generated radio, dublab promotes curiosity, experimentation, inclusivity, and connection. dublab is a platform for discovery and the cultivation of next-wave music, arts and culture. dublab has long been interested in sharing Alice Coltrane’s music with the world. ashramtapes.com is a website and radio project by dublab founder Mark “Frosty” McNeill that explores Coltrane’s devotional music.
About the John & Alice Coltrane Home:
Headquartered at the family’s former residence in Long Island, The John & Alice Coltrane Home, seeks to inspire and educate by providing a tangible link to a period of deep creativity and transformation in the lives of two great African American artists: John and Alice Coltrane. Visit thecoltranehome.org to discover more.
ABOUT GRAND PERFORMANCES
Grand Performances' mission is to inspire community, celebrate diversity, and unite Los Angeles through free access to global performing arts. All of GP’s events are free, outdoors, all ages and open to the public at California Plaza in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles, next to the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), The Broad and Walt Disney Concert Hall. Founded in 1986, Grand Performances has presented free live concerts featuring Stevie Wonder, Ozomatli, Kamasi Washington, Seun Kuti, Madame Gandhi, Ana Tijoux, Soulection, Aloe Blacc, Angelique Kidjo and countless others over the last 36 years.
For more info, visit www.grandperformances.org
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Media Contact: Lorena Alamillo, lorena@vpepr.com, 213-443-6953