Coltrane, Alice (1937—)

American pianist, organist, and harpist. Name variations: Alice McLeod; Lady Trane; Turiya Sagittinanda. Born Alice McLeod in Detroit, Michigan, on August 27, 1937; sister of Ernie Farrow; married John Coltrane, around 1965 (died 1967).

Rippling, rhythmically free arpeggios are said to characterize the piano and harp playing of Alice Coltrane, wife of jazz great John Coltrane. Alice Coltrane's organ work, described as less flowing than her piano and harp playing, is known for the use of trills and dramatic pauses. Her musical development began at the age of seven with the study of classical music. She studied jazz with Bud Powell and gained experience with church groups. In these early years, Coltrane developed her talents with the jazz ensembles of Kenny Burrell, Lucky Thompson, Yusef Lateef, and Johnny Griffin. In 1962 and 1963, she toured and recorded with Terry Gibbs , and it was at this time that she met John Coltrane. They were married around 1965. In 1966, she joined her husband's group, replacing McCoy Tyner. John Coltrane died the following year (1967), and Alice went on to lead many ensembles. Among the saxophonists who played in her groups were Pharoah Sanders, Joe Henderson, Archie Shepp, Frank Lowe, and Carlos Ward; double bass players included Cecil McBee and Jimmy Garrison; and drummers included Rashied Ali, Roy Haynes, and Ben Riley. Following Coltrane's move to California (1972), she founded a retreat for the study of Eastern religions, the Vedantic Center, in 1975, later publishing a book of spiritual texts called Endless Wisdom. After founding the Vedantic Center, she seldom performed but recorded an album in 1978 with Roy Haynes and Reggie Workman called Transfiguration. In a tribute to her husband, in 1987 Coltrane performed with a quartet that included her sons at New York's Cathedral of St. John the Divine.