Mildred Dilling was showered in critical acclaim during her career (1911-1982) as America’s most prominent harpist. She hosted her own weekly NBC radio show and is credited with giving harp lessons to actor Harpo Marx. But it was the iconoclast harpist and composer Dorothy Ashby during the 1950-1984s, who elevated the dreamy orchestral instrument into the boundless skies of jazz improvisation. She played everything from bop to soul, African, Middle Eastern music and the outer limits of avant-gardism. Hip hop artists like Pete Rock, Rahzel, and Drake were inspired to sample her music. Her fearless work had some influence on Alice Coltrane’s career as a harpist, composer, and bandleader.
Perhaps it was something in the water or just Detroit’s historical jazz scene that led its city natives Ashby (five years older) and Coltrane to totally restructure the art of harp playing and all its nuances. Coltrane’s debut album “A Monastic Trio” (Impulse! Records 1968) was a prerequisite of her music to follow that united her inner cosmic force with the spiritual world. She was given the monastic name Turiyasangitananda and became a spiritual director of the Shanti Anantam Ashram.
On May 16, Carnegie Hall presents Cosmic Music: The Celestial Songs of Alice Coltrane. Curated by Ravi Coltrane and the family of Alice Coltrane Turiyasangitananda, the performance features world premieres of orchestral arrangements of Alice’s compositions. The dynamic freedom and magnitude of her artistic impact are showcased through performances by her family, including tenor saxophonist Ravi Coltrane, her grandnephew Flying Lotus on turntables, and her daughter, vocalist Michelle Coltrane, who will lead the singers of the Sai Anantam Devotional Ensemble, pianist David Virelles, drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts, bassist Robert Hurst, and Brandee Younger, the harpist in the tradition while creating her own path. She will perform on Alice’s recently restored harp.
Alice recorded a live album “The Carnegie Hall Concert” in 1971; that recording was just released in 2024 by Impulse! Records. On the album, Coltrane appears on piano and harp, and is joined by tenor saxophonists Pharoah Sanders (alto, flute and percussion), and Archie Shepp, double bassists Jimmy Garrison and Cecil McBee, and drummers Ed Blackwell and Clifford Jarvis. This album demonstrates her inventiveness to create her very own genre of global spiritual music.
Carnegie Hall is located at 881 7th Avenue, the concert begins at 8 p.m. For tickets visit carnegiehall.org. or call 212-247-7800.
After a two-year hiatus, the creative multi-reed player, flautist and composer Rene McLean returns to Sista’s Place, the historic jazz oasis in the heart of Brooklyn’s Bed-Stuy community (456 Nostrand Avenue). Rene says, “after my kidney transplant, I am ready to get back to what I do.”
On May 17, the day of his iconic father’s birthday saxophonist, composer and educator Jackie McLean, Rene comes in with an all-star sextet to celebrate the legacy of Jackie McLean (known for his distinctive hard bop tone). He will be joined by trumpeter Josh Evans, saxophonist Antoine Roney, pianist Hubert Eaves III, bassist Matt Dwonszyk, and drummer Winard Harper.
Shows are at 8 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. For reservations, call (718) 398-1766.
As the current White House administration dismantles its fragile sandbox democracy, gears daily to eliminate Black history, and moves towards banning more books, it should be perfectly clear that Now! is the time to pay full attention to the explicit words of el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz (Malcolm X).
As people around the world prepare for May 19, Harlem will celebrate with a “Live on Lenox-X Marks the Spot-Celebration” honoring the Centennial of El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz. This immersive event brings the streets and spirit of Harlem alive through continuous public performances. In an era when historical truth is under threat, this gathering will affirm the legacy of Malcolm X through music, movement, and voice — anchoring his radical love and vision for justice in the heartbeat of the community he cherished.
The streets of 116th to 125th will be activated from 4-7 p.m. as six poets and musicians (three each) will perform in duos with original spoken word and music at corners near 116th, 120th and 125th Streets and Malcolm X Blvd. Six orators will walk along the streets from 116th to 125th on Malcolm X Blvd., reciting Malcolm X quotes and engaging passersby in dialogue and reflection. Following the open street performances, a concert will be held at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, (201 Malcolm X Blvd. at 120th Street), from 8-10 p.m. The concert, a multi-media event, will feature a large ensemble of 20 musicians, four dancers with screen projected images, and a guest speaker. “Requiem for Malcolm” is anchored by original music composed and conducted by trombonist Craig Harris Arts & Education Continuum, Artistic Director.
“As a result of the mentorship I received from my ancestors and cultural elders, I am fully prepared to produce Live on Lenox – X Marks the Spot. My only misstep was waiting for larger institutions to take the lead in honoring this great American. When no one stepped up, I knew it was time to act,” explained the event’s executive producer, Craig Harris. “We are now in a state of emergency. I remember when culture bearers like Amiri Baraka or Sekou Sundiata would call me and say, “What are we going to do?” and we would mobilize in a day. That spirit of urgency and collective responsibility once defined our community. People showed up without expectation of compensation, driven by purpose. My mentors taught me that lesson, and now it’s my turn to pass it forward. Malcolm went hard. My mentors went hard. Now it’s our turn. Resilience is the legacy. Now is the time.”
All events for X Marks the Spot are free and open to the public. On this centennial, Malcolm X is making one more call for action: Be there and be activated by any means necessary! For more info, email artseducationcontinuum.org, and access the Eventbrite link for the event.