Coltrane, Alice (1937–)
Coltrane, Alice (1937–)
American pianist, organist, and harpist. Name variations: Alice McLeod; Lady Trane; Turiya Sagittinanda. Born Alice McLeod in Detroit, Michigan, Aug 27, 1937; sister of Ernie Farrow; m. John Coltrane (musician), c. 1965 (died 1967).
Known for rippling arpeggios and dramatic pauses, began studying classical music at age 7; studied jazz with Bud Powell and gained experience with church groups; developed talents with jazz ensembles of Kenny Burrell, Lucky Thompson, Yusef Lateef, and Johnny Griffin; toured and recorded with Terry Gibbs (1962 and 1963); joined husband John Coltrane's group (1966), replacing McCoy Tyner; after husband's death (1967), went on to lead many ensembles; moved to California (1972); founded retreat for study of Eastern religions, the Vedantic Center (1975); published book of spiritual texts, Endless Wisdom; recorded album Transfiguration (1978) with Roy Haynes and Reggie Workman; in tribute to husband, performed with quartet that included her sons at New York's Cathedral of St. John the Divine (1987). Musicians who played in her groups included double bass players Cecil McBee and Jimmy Garrison, drummers Rashied Ali, Roy Haynes and Ben Riley, and saxophonists Pharoah Sanders, Joe Henderson, Archie Shepp, Frank Lowe and Carlos Ward.
See also Women in World History.