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John Coltrane didn’t just make music — he could sense a room’s energy, improvise and turn sound into feeling. Now, Philly artists can channel that spirit by creating their own artistic series inspired by Coltrane’s legacy.
Coltrane 100 Philly is celebrating the jazz legend’s 100th birthday — which would have taken place this September 23 — by giving out $27,000 in community project grants for local creatives.
The initiative also includes various arts and jazz programming from now through November, and is being supported by individuals and groups such as Senator Vincent Hughes, Jazz Philadelphia, Creative Philadelphia, Ars Nova Workshop, and WRTI at Temple University.
“We’re looking for artists who are distinctly celebratory of the glam and grit that Philadelphia possesses,” said vocalist and composer, Laurin Talese, who is involved with the grants. “That spirit of ingenuity, that spirit of imagination and curiosity, of strong identification with self — we want to see that in the application.”
The opportunity is a call to artists who have felt that “soul-tie” with Coltrane’s work and are looking to create something new from his legacy with their own programming.
“I think that too often, folks get fixed into having a position that describes their brand or their personality or their sound — and that’s completely the opposite of John Coltrane’s ethos,” Talese said. “He was about pushing boundaries, testing himself and digging deep inside.”
John Coltrane lived in Philadelphia during his formative years as a young musician. The city became an important part of his personal and professional journey.
“He chose the Strawberry Mansion section of Philadelphia,” said Danielle Allen, project manager for Coltrane 100 Philly. “[There] is such magic. There are great stories being told that have been told for generations in North Philly.”
Anyone from jazz artists, to composers, to visual artists, photographers and more are welcome to apply.
“The main question is like, is this only for musical performances?” Allen said. “And the answer is absolutely not, because Coltrane was so much more than music.”
“Music made in Philadelphia communities”
Applicants can choose from one of two grants. Track A, the Community Voice Grant, is aimed towards artists who are strong in their discipline and already comfortable producing their own show. Recipients are eligible to receive up to $2,500.
Track B, the Curated Series Grant, is for artists who may be a little less experienced, but are looking for a partner and mentor to execute an idea. Recipients are eligible to receive up to $4,500.
“I joke and say track A is for the Laurin Taleses of the world, who, you know, are seasoned performers,” Allen said. “And track B is like someone like me who needs Laurin Talese.”
What these programs will look like is up to the applicant, as long as the work celebrates and honors Coltrane’s spirit.
“We don’t want applications where clearly this person may not have a real passion or knowledge around Coltrane’s work, but they just want to be able to do their show in Philadelphia and have it funded,” Allen explained. “That’s not what we’re looking for.”
Grant applications are due Monday, Aug. 31 at 11:59 p.m. Allen said that the programming will not only support individual artists, but also give back to different pockets of the city.
“We want music made in Philadelphia communities,” Allen said. “You could be on your porch. You could go to your neighborhood library… the art gallery… the rec center… the church… Because there’s beauty in the mundane, so that’s exactly what we hope these grants do.”
“Every major band in the world has somebody from Philadelphia in their band, and that’s for a reason,” she said. “It’s in the soil. It’s in the water.”
Once applications are closed, the Coltrane 100 Philly advisory group will begin choosing finalists. The goal is to have programming up and running by the end of the Coltrane 100 Philly celebrations this fall.
“There’s so many different beautiful little curious little corners that often go undershone, for lack of a better word,” Talese said.
“Sometimes as artists, you feel like you’re working in a vacuum, and you feel under-resourced,” she noted. “Imagine what would come if they’re funded — if these artists have even more resources… and guidance to actually take some little mustard seed of an idea and really flesh it out.”
