Co-presented by the Pappy Martin Legacy Jazz Collective
UPDATE: There are still tickets available for the Saturday, September 30th performance by Ravi Coltrane (saxophone) accompanied by Curtis Lundy (upright bass) and George Caldwell (piano), with Johnathan Blake (drums) in the Buffalo State Performing Arts Center.
Tickets are available online or in person at the Buffalo State PAC box office (located in Rockwell Hall).
Buffalo State PAC box office hours for in-person or phone sales: Tuesdays through Fridays, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., and one hour prior to doors on event night. Phone: 716-878-3005
The 2023 COLTRANE Celebration Poster was illustrated by the artist XIII. Posters are available for purchase in The Museum Store during museum hours.
The Pappy Martin Legacy Jazz Collective and Burchfield Penney Art Center celebrate the birthday of one of the greatest saxophone players of all time at the annual John Coltrane jazz festival September 28 – 30, 2023! This year will be bigger and better than ever with headliner Ravi Coltrane closing out the festivities on Saturday night in the Performing Arts Center at Rockwell Hall (across Rockwell Road from the Burchfield Penney). Don't miss that 'Trane and join us for an extra special jazz extravaganza honoring the jazz icon! The Annual John Coltrane Birthday Celebration is presented with the generous support of the Cullen Foundation.
Burchfield Penney Art Center
September 28, 2023
Opening Reception | 7:00 pm
Performance by the Love Supreme School of Music in the Reception Space from 7:00 p.m. to 7:40 p.m.
Members enjoy early check-in for the reception at 6:00 p.m.
George Caldwell Quartet | 8:00 pm
Featuring Lawrence Clark
Acclaimed pianist George Caldwell with Lawrence Clark (saxophone), Sean Jefferson (drums), and Joe Goehle (bass)
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Burchfield Penney Art Center
September 29, 2023
Documentary Film Screening | 2:00 pm
Ron Carter: Finding the Right Notes (All Coltrane Celebration ticketholders are invited to attend.)
Discover the life and music of jazz luminary Ron Carter, the most recorded bassist in history.
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Buffalo State Performing Arts Center at Rockwell Hall
September 30th
Ravi Coltrane | 8:00 p.m.
Accompanied by the Curtis Lundy Trio
The celebrated Ravi Coltrane (saxophone) accompanied by artistic directors Curtis Lundy (upright bass) and George Caldwell (piano), along with Johnathan Blake (drums)! Opening performance by the Love Supreme School of Music.
Acclaimed pianist George Caldwell will be joined by Lawrence Clark(saxophone), Sean Jefferson (drums) Joe Goehle (bass) in this star-studded quartet!
George Caldwell is a fully tenured jazz piano legend who has served with the Count Basie Orchestra, the Duke Ellington Orchestra, as a sideman extraordinaire, and as leader of his own ensembles. Renowned as a performer, composer, band leader, and teacher, Caldwell presided over the Ivory 88s for the Basie Orchestra when the group won a “Best Large Jazz Ensemble Performance” Grammy in 1996. He’s one of the pre-eminent swing players in modern jazz and is the artistic director of the annual Coltrane celebration at the Burchfield Penney.
The celebration will culminate in a performance by Ravi Coltrane (saxophone) accompanied by COLTRANE Celebration artistic directors Curtis Lundy (upright bass) and George Caldwell (piano), along with Johnathan Blake (drums).
Ravi Coltrane is a critically acclaimed Grammy™ nominated saxophonist, bandleader, and composer. In the course of a twenty-plus-year career, Mr. Coltrane has worked as a sideman to many, recorded noteworthy albums for himself and others, and founded a prominent independent record label, RKM. Born in Long Island, the second son of John Coltrane and Alice Coltrane, Ravi was named after Indian sitar legend Ravi Shankar. He was raised in Los Angeles where his family moved after his father’s death in 1967. His mother, Alice Coltrane, was a significant influence on Ravi and it was he who encouraged Alice to return to performance and the recording studio after a long absence. Subsequently, Ravi produced and played on Alice Coltrane’s powerful, Translinear Light, which was released in 2004.
Curtis Lundy is an American double bass player, composer, producer, choir director, and arranger. Lundy is best known for his work as part of jazz vocalist Betty Carter's band. Lundy has also played on other jazz artists' recordings, including albums by John Hicks, Bobby Watson, the Steve Nelson Quintet and Johnny Griffin. In the late 1980s, he briefly stepped out of the background and issued Just Be Yourself (1988). A decade later, with Justin Time Records, he released Against All Odds (1999) and Purpose (2002). Both albums feature pianists John Hicks and Anthony Wonsey. Lundy's arrangement of "Walk With Me", recorded by the ARC Gospel Choir, was sampled by rapper Kanye West and became the Grammy Award-winning hit "Jesus Walks".
The Pappy Martin Legacy Jazz Collective was formed in Buffalo, NY to recognize and address the multi-pronged aspects of continuing the important music legacy of James “Pappy” Martin. Their mission is to create opportunities for diverse community engagement to educate, honor, and celebrate the historical, cultural, and artistic significance of jazz. Beginning circa 2003, the Love Supreme School of Musichas provided instrumental music lessons and many opportunities for student development and performances. Musician, composer, band leader, and educator, Marcus Lolo is the Love Supreme School of Music Director.
All Coltrane Celebration ticket-holders are invited to the Documentary Screening on Friday, September 29th at 2:00 p.m. at the Burchfield Penney Art Center.
Tickets can be purchased online (processing fees apply) or in person at the Buffalo State Performing Arts Center box office.
Buffalo State Performing Arts Center box office hours for in-person or phone sales: Tuesdays through Fridays, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Phone: 716-878-3005
Accompanied by the Curtis Lundy Trio at the Performing Arts Center | Buffalo State University (Rockwell Hall)
Saturday, September 30
General Admission - $35.00 (plus fees)
Members - $25.00 (plus fees) Members please check your email for the online discount password.
Student - $15.00 (Purchase in person at the Box Office. One Student price ticket per valid student ID.)
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Featuring Lawrence Clark at the Burchfield Penney
Thursday, September 28
General Admission - $35.00 (plus fees)
Members - $25.00 (plus fees) Members please check your email for the online discount password.
Student - $15.00 (Purchase in person at the Box Office. One Student price ticket per valid student ID.)
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September 28 – 30, 2023
See the George Caldwell Quartet featuring Lawrence Clark at the Burchfield Penney, and Ravi Coltrane with the Curtis Lundy Trio at the Buffalo State PAC, plus receive your COLTRANE Celebration poster by artist XIII*
*Posters will be available to pick up at the Burchfield Penney Museum Store during Museum Hours
General Admission - $90.00 (plus fees)
Members - $70.00 (plus fees) Members please check your email for the online discount password.