John Coltrane left Philadelphia to change the sound of modern music, but this summer the city gets him back in a big way. On Wednesday, July 22, the Highmark Mann Center will host Coltrane 100: Legacy, a large outdoor tribute built around what would have been the saxophonist’s 100th birthday. The show pairs Ravi Coltrane with The Philadelphia Orchestra for orchestral reworkings of Coltrane’s music, turning his adopted hometown into a main stage for the centennial story and spotlighting his early years in Strawberry Mansion.
What’s On Stage
The program is set to feature Ravi Coltrane with The Philadelphia Orchestra, led by conductor Edwin Outwater, with doors at 6 p.m. and an 8 p.m. showtime, according to Highmark Mann. Tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster, which notes that the event is rain or shine.
Coltrane’s Philly Roots
Coltrane’s musical story is tightly tied to Strawberry Mansion, where he learned to play and lived in a rowhouse now marked with a state historical plaque at 1511 N. 33rd Street. The marker also recounts his 1957 decision to shut himself in and quit drugs, a turning point organizers cite when framing centennial events, as detailed by ExplorePAHistory.
Voices On The Bill
“If you’re thinking about American culture, you have to think about jazz,” said Gerald Veasley, the Mann’s curator-in-residence, who called the lineup “elements … for a historic night,” according to 6abc. Ravi Coltrane told the station that the centennial is “a beautiful way to acknowledge” his father’s influence on a bigger public stage.
Practical Details
The Mann folds this show into its Summer Picnic Series, encouraging concertgoers to bring food, and it allows lawn chairs for the performance. The venue notes that photography is not permitted, and that parking fees, access details and other visitor information are available on the event page. Patrons are urged to arrive early for seating and to follow the Mann’s security and bag policies, according to Highmark Mann.
Centennial Context
Coltrane 100 is part of a year-long, estate-backed centennial project that includes concerts, archival releases and curated programs tied to John Coltrane’s legacy. The official Coltrane 100 site lays out the broader slate of events, and regional partners and theaters across the country, including local presenters and venues, are picking up related programming, according to McCarter.
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