Show Notes
John Coltrane’s centennial has brought a flurry of tributes and testimonials, along with archival discoveries. At WRTI, we’re gearing up for “A Love Park Supreme,” a weeklong celebration in the city that Coltrane called home. And here at The Late Set, we’re doing what we do best: digging into an enlightened conversation.
Our guest is Peabody Award-winning oral historian and producer Steve Rowland, creator of the five-hour audio documentary Tell Me How Long Trane's Been Gone, which is rebroadcasting on WRTI the week of Sept. 21, one hour at a time. Rowland, an alumnus of Temple University and WRTI, has incisive things to say about Coltrane’s spiritual quest and creative legacy, and how we can best remember him today.
Chapters
00:00 — Intro: Coltrane 100 Philly
06:30 — Steve Rowland joins the show
10:30 — Philadelphia roots & building the documentary
13:00 — Early life, faith & the August Bloom tape
24:30 — Bebop, addiction & the road to A Love Supreme
27:30 — A Love Supreme: Psalm, poetry & the saxophone-as-voice
34:00 — Alabama, civil rights & the Black Arts Movement
46:00 — Material world, spirit world & art as the bridge
49:30 — The Coltrane houses & life with Alice
1:02:00 — Legacy & takeaways
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