Hudson Hall is proud to present A Love Supreme: Celebrating the Legacy of Alice & John Coltrane, a concert series honoring the enduring vision of two artists whose work, love, and influence symbolize artistic achievement and Black excellence. Curated by Cat Henry, a veteran arts producer who joined the Hudson Jazz Festival after stepping down from a leadership role with Jazz at Lincoln Center, the series was originally programmed as part of the 2021 Hudson Jazz Festival: Special Edition, which was postponed due to the pandemic. Kicking off on September 14 with a free talk about the Coltranes by GRAMMY award-winning music historian and author Ashley Kahn, the series features three distinct performances by artists at the forefront of the contemporary jazz scene: Brandee Younger Trio (September 18), Orrin Evans Trio (October 16) and JD Allen Trio (November 20).
 
All ticket holders will be required to wear masks and provide proof of vaccination to attend. To ensure access, all three concerts will be live streamed free from Hudson Hall’s grand performance hall (reservations required). Concert tickets start at $25, with a Series Pass for all three concerts priced at $100, and Sponsor Tables for 2 and 4 that include pre-set nibbles and beverages starting at $150.  For more information or to purchase tickets, visit hudsonhall.org or phone (518) 822-1438.
 
Hudson Jazz Festival Curator Cat Henry said:
 
“When John Coltrane met Alice McLeod (Coltrane) in 1963, he had already achieved fame as a saxophonist and composer, and she was a pioneering female jazz pianist. They fell deeply in love and became spiritual soul mates and musical travelers. The innovative music they each went on to create, including John's 'A Love Supreme' and Alice's 'A Monastic Trio', explores the intersection of earthly and divine love, and was intended as a force for good. We honor their legacy, providing space for jazz musicians to respond creatively to the life-altering impact of the past 18 months, channelling the Coltrane spirit to present innovative music that has the power to heal, entertain and inspire.”
 
A LOVE SUPREME: FULL SCHEDULE
 
PRE-SERIES TALK:
ASHLEY KAHN: A Love Supreme - The Lives and Music of Alice & John Coltrane
Tuesday, September 14 at 6pm
Free, reservations recommended.
 
GRAMMY award-winning music historian Ashley Kahn, author of A Love Supreme: The Story of John Coltrane’s Signature Album and other popular books, delivers a presentation focusing on the lives and music of John and Alice Coltrane. Balancing musical insight with fascinating stories, Kahn will bring their careers into a modern-day perspective—discussing the musical influences and spiritual devotion they shared, even as their music proved so influential, enduring, and vastly different.
 
MAIN STAGE CONCERT LINE UP:
BRANDEE YOUNGER TRIO
Saturday, September 18 at 7pm
 
"Younger taps into the spiritual well that fuelled the art of both Ashby and Coltrane, yet she remains ever-cognizant of the time in which she lives and plays." - All About Jazz
 
Harpist Brandee Younger infuses her music with jazz, soul, and classical influences, digging deep into the harp tradition pioneered by Alice Coltrane and Dorothy Ashby. Recently signed to Impulse Records, the future is bright for this rising star as she steps out of the shadow of her forebears to create her own legacy on this exceptional instrument, accompanied by Endea Owens on bass and EJ Strickland on drums.
 
ORRIN EVANS TRIO
Saturday, October 16 at 7pm
 
“Mr. Evans is a viable candidate for jazz’s most resourceful and invigorating contemporary pianist.” – New York Times
 
Philadelphia native, pianist, composer and educator Orrin Evans has always followed a vigorously individual path, believing passionately in the power of artistry to help people. His singular vision has led him to release poignant recordings on his label Imani Records, with his small group or as leader of the Captain Black Big Band. With the Orrin Evans Trio, featuring Luques Curtis on bass and Mark Whitfield Jr. on drums, expect shuffle blues, soft ballads, and a dash of Philly soul.
 
JD ALLEN TRIO
Saturday, November 20 at 7pm
 
“Mr. Allen has become one of today’s most exciting tenor saxophonists not by trying to spotlight his own virtuosity…but by defining a new way of playing in a group. With the trio, his focus is on deepening your listening — on burrowing down.” – New York Times
 
In a review of JD Allen’s most recent release, “Toys / Die Dreaming” (August 2020) Larry Blumenthal of the Wall Street Journal stated, “Mr. Allen is an essential voice on jazz’s landscape for both his force and his restraint, as well as for the beauty of his tenor saxophone’s sound”. Allen and his co-creators, Ian Kenselaar on bass and Nic Cacioppo on drums, weave a mesmerizing narrative with short melodies as jumping off points for collective improvisation, underpinned by deep grooves and unexpected rhythmic motifs.