Alice Coltrane on vinyl: spiritual jazz with harp and organ
In short: Alice Coltrane (1937–2007) from Detroit played piano in her husband John Coltrane’s band from 1966. After his death she developed a spiritual music all her own on Impulse!, with harp, organ and Indian influences. Later she led an ashram in California and recorded devotional music for her community. The Vinyl Room currently has 4 Alice Coltrane records.
What makes Alice Coltrane special?
Her harp sounds like flowing water over deep bass lines: on “Ptah, The El Daoud” from 1970 she plays piano and harp, with Pharoah Sanders and Joe Henderson on saxophones.
“Kirtan: Turiya Sings” has a deeply contemplative character: released in 2021, it presents her devotional songs recorded in 1981 with just vocals and Wurlitzer organ. Plus “Turiya Sings” and “Live at Carnegie Hall, 1971”.
From our stock
Records by Alice Coltrane
→ John Coltrane · Pharoah Sanders · Impulse! · Spiritual jazz
FAQ
Which instruments did Alice Coltrane play? Piano, organ and harp.
Was Alice Coltrane married to John Coltrane? Yes – and she played in his band from 1966.
What is “Kirtan: Turiya Sings”? Devotional songs with voice and organ, released on Impulse! in 2021.
Which records do you have? Editions from the 2010s and 2020s – 4 records in all.
