Jazz Reviews : Coltrane Kin Carry On Tradition at Wiltern

The second annual John Coltrane Festival drew a somewhat sparse but enthusiastic crowd Saturday to the Wiltern Theater.

Alice Coltrane, now known as Swami Turiyasangitanada, is mainly active as the spiritual teacher who runs the Vedantic Center in Agoura, where she provides students with meditation instruction. Her appearance at the Wiltern climaxed an evening devoted mainly to the music of her husband, who died in 1967.

Her performance was routed in the mystic tradition of John Coltrane’s later years, yet her own personality came through with power and conviction as she alternated between a synthesizer (hampered by an unpleasant tone) and the piano. Most of her solos consisted of lengthy cornucopias of eighth notes, with dramatic synth glissandos. A striking woman with a smile that all but lit up the first five rows, she conveyed a sense of spiritual peace at odds with the droning content of the music.

Her sons, Ravi, 22, on tenor and soprano saxes, and Oran, 21, on alto sax, were infants when their father died, but intense study of his records has enabled them to make valid statements, particularly on such Coltrane standards as “Impressions” and “Giant Steps.”

Ravi’s own earlier set found him leading a somewhat awkward quintet, with trumpeter Ralph Alessi, pianist David Ake, bassist Nedra Wheeler and drummer Ralph Penland. The influence here seemed to be that of the early Coltrane, leaning to hard bop rather than modality.

The strongest contribution of the evening was provided by Joe Henderson, whose mordant tenor sax was in tough, tear-it-up form on “All the Things You Are” and the old Charlie Parker blues “Relaxin’ at Camarillo,” with compelling support by Irene Rosnes on piano, Charlie Haden on bass and Tootie Heath on drums.

Rounding out the show on a pop note was the Rev. O. C. Smith, who now divides his time between the ministry and the stage. His burnished sound was as agreeable as ever, but the backup group offered more interference than support.

Applause broke out late in the evening when bassist Reggie Workman began playing the main phrase of “A Love Supreme.” Alice Coltrane then clapsed her hands in prayer and the concert was over.

As a footnote, her daughter Michelle presented her with a plaque in recognition of her mother’s good works for the cause of young musicians. If there is not yet in the family a talent commensurate with that of the master himself, at least such youths as Ravi and Oran Coltrane are moving in a direction for which he unwittingly offered them guidance.