Senate Resolution No. 1845
BY: Senator BAILEY
CELEBRATING the 100th Anniversary of the birth of
John Coltrane, renowned artistic trailblazer and
innovative New York jazz musician
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to the musical geniuses who have contributed to the
entertainment and cultural enrichment of their local communities, the
entire State of New York, and globally; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the birth of John Coltrane, renowned
artistic trailblazer and innovative New York jazz musician; and
WHEREAS, John Coltrane was born on September 23, 1926, in Hamlet,
North Carolina, and spent his formative years studying clarinet and alto
saxophone at the Ornstein School of Music and the Granoff Studios in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; he later migrated to New York, New York in
1957; and
WHEREAS, John Coltrane's presence in New York reinforced the
region's appeal and raised the bar for artistry while contributing to
the robust jazz culture of the Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his career, John Coltrane frequented various New
York institutions such as the Five Spot Cafe in the Bowery, the Jazz
Gallery in Nomad, the Village Vanguard in Greenwich Village, and the
Apollo Theater in Harlem; and
WHEREAS, John Coltrane was considered a hero to Harlem residents for
his multiple appearances at the Apollo Theater between 1948 and 1962,
where he performed with several notable jazz collaborators, including
but not limited to Howard McGhee, McCoy Tyner, Miles Davis, and Dizzy
Gillespie; and
WHEREAS, Similarly to John Coltrane, these musicians once hailed
from separate parts of the country, eventually establishing shared roots
in New York during the Great Migration, and quickly becoming central
figures of the movement and icons of the New York jazz scene; and
WHEREAS, Their artistry led to New York flourishing as a cultural
hub for future generations of musicians, all infusing their own unique
musical and regional styles of creative expression to the genre of jazz;
and
WHEREAS, John Coltrane's distinct "sheets of sound" have shaped both
straight-ahead and experimental jazz alike, resulting in immensely
influential projects such as "A Love Supreme," "Giant Steps," and "Blue
Train"; and
WHEREAS, John Coltrane has produced an extensive music catalog that
is credited with 2.5 million RIAA certified units; and
WHEREAS, John Coltrane formed a partnership with Impulse! Records,
an iconic New York-based record label distinguished for its experimental
charge and spirituality in music, and in time became known as the "house
that Trane built"; and
WHEREAS, John Coltrane purchased a residential property in Dix
Hills, New York in 1964, where he lived until his death, and was buried
in Farmingdale, New York, in 1967; and
WHEREAS, The John Coltrane Dix Hills residence was listed on the New
York State and National Registers of Historic Places in 2007; and
WHEREAS, John Coltrane's legacy and creative works continue to
inspire jazz musicians of all backgrounds today and distinguish him as a
globally recognized Master of Jazz Performance; and
WHEREAS, John Coltrane brings great pride to his family, the music
industry, and jazz fans of the great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body has deep appreciation for the
exceptional achievements of John Coltrane, and is justly proud to
celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the birth; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
recognize and thank John Coltrane, his estate, and music partners for
sharing a diverse catalog of music, artistic excellence, and cultural
export.
