The John Coltrane Memorial Concert celebrates its 30th anniversary by expanding its annual programming to one full week of paying tribute to one of the most influential musicians of our time. From September 16-22, the 'Trane legacy will be granted the intense focus it very much deserves. Featured performers include Ravi Coltrane Quartet & Amiri Baraka, Bill Pierce Quartet with Mulgrew Miller, John Coltrane Memorial Ensemble, Your Neighborhood Saxophone Quartet, Aardvark Orchestra and others.

Both Boston and Cambridge have joined hands in declaring this week in September as the week to pay special attention to a man who long after his death continues to shape America's musical heritage, jazz and otherwise. Some may argue that his influence reaches far beyond the musical realm - since his works have more than once served as symbols for social causes and spiritual enlightenment, including the quest for world peace. No matter what the claim, John Coltrane, born on September 23, 1926 (only to die young on July 17, 1967), lives on in the hearts and minds of both musicians and listeners alike.

Ravi Coltrane

Sunday, September 16, 7:30 pm

• Aardvark Orchestra "Coltrane Facets"
• [Opening Event of the 30th John Coltrane Memorial Concert Celebration]
• [Opening Event of the 35th Aardvark Jazz Orchestra Season]
• The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, 7 Cambridge Center, Kendall Square, Cambridge
• [conveniently located near the Kendall T stop on the Red Line]
• Tickets: $15 general admission, $10 students & seniors
• For tickets and information: 617-452-3205

Led by trumpeter Mark Harvey, Aardvark Orchestra is also celebrating its 35th Season. This particular concert, Coltrane Facets, will focus on 'Trane's interest in world music. The concert is sponsored by the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. For more information go to www.aardvarkjazz.com.

Monday, September 17, 8:00 pm

• "Tribute to the 30 year JCMC Legacy" featuring Your Neighborhood Saxophone Quartet with Tom Hall, Cercie Miller, Joel Springer, Allan Chase
• New England Conservatory / Brown Hall, 30 Gainsborough St., Boston
• [conveniently located near the Mass. Ave. stop on the Orange Line]
• Tickets: FREE
• For tickets and information: 617-585-1122

Your Neighborhood Saxophone Quartet, established in 1979, currently features Tom Hall (baritone), Cercie Miller (alto), Joel Springer (tenor), and Allan Chase (alto & soprano). They have toured the U.S. and Europe and have made five recordings. Samples of their work can be heard at www.mp3.com/artist/your-neighborhood-saxophone-quartet/summary/.

Tuesday, September 18, 7:00 pm-9:00 pm

• "The Soul of Coltrane"
• Bill Banfield and Armsted Christian will lead a discussion, followed by live performances by Berklee advanced students and faculty.
• Berklee College of Music / Genko Uchida Bldg. / David Friends Recital Hall, 921 Boylston St., Boston
• [conveniently located near the Hynes Convention Center stop on the Green Line (B, C, D trains)]
• Tickets: FREE
• For tickets and information: 617-266-1400, x2957

Wednesday, September 19, 11:45am - 1:15pm

• "History of the John Coltrane Memorial Concert"
• Reflections on the creation and evolution of JCMC featuring key musicians including:
• Stan Strickland, Bill Pierce, Armsted Christian, Frank Wilkins, Sa Davis, Syd Smart, Tim Ingles & Leonard Brown.
• Northeastern University's John D. O'Bryant African American Institute, 40 Leon St., Boston
• [conveniently located near the Ruggles stop on the Orange Line]
• Tickets: FREE
• For information: 617-373-4128

Thursday September 20, 7:00 pm-9:00 pm

• "Listening to Trane"
• Ingrid Monson will lead a panel of educators and musicians in listening to selected Coltrane recordings of significance and commenting on their importance andinfluence.
• Harvard University, Music Building, Classroom 2 behind the Science Center, Cambridge
• [conveniently located near the Harvard Square stop on the Red Line]
• Tickets: FREE
• For information: 617-496-6013

Mulgrew Miller © Andrea Canter

Friday, September 21, 8:00 pm

• Bill Pierce Quartet featuring Mulgrew Miller
• Fundraiser for John Coltrane Memorial Concert Educational Outreach Program
• Northeastern University, Blackman Theatre, Ell Hall, 360 Huntington Ave., Boston
• [conveniently located near the Ruggles stop on the Orange Line or the Northeastern stop on the Green Line (E train)]
• Ticket: $25 general admission; $20 non-NU students, seniors, NU
• Faculty/staff/WGBH Members; $10 NU students with ID
• For tickets and information: 617-373-2247

Bill Pierce (tenor & soprano sax) is considered one of the greatest saxophonists of current and recent times. He serves as Woodwind Department Chair at Berklee College of Music and has performed with some of the indisputable masters of jazz - Freddie Hubbard, Tony Williams, Art Farmer, Hank Jones, James Williams, and Art Blakey, to name a few. Full bio at www.berklee.edu/bt/123/bb_profile.html. Some of his work can be heard at www.mp3.com/artist/bill-pierce/summary/.

Mulgrew Miller (piano) is a magnificent and gifted musician. One of the most sought-after contemporary pianists, he has "awesome technique and inventiveness coupled with an emotional core based in gospel and the blues. His playing is at once timeless and absolutely contemporary." (Downbeat Magazine) More at www.mulgrewmiller.com.

Saturday, September 22, 7:30 pm

• John Coltrane Memorial Ensemble featuring Ravi Coltrane Quartet & Amiri Baraka
• Hosted by Eric Jackson of WGBH's "Eric in the Evening"
• Northeastern University, Blackman Theatre, Ell Hall
• 360 Huntington Ave., Boston [conveniently located near the Ruggles stop on the Orange Line or the Northeastern stop on the Green Line (E train)]
• Ticket: $25 general admission; $20 non-NU students, seniors, NU
• Faculty/staff/WGBH Members;
• $10 NU students with ID
• For tickets and information: 617-373-2247

Ravi Coltrane (tenor & soprano sax) is considered one of the finest contemporary musicians of our time. The son of John Coltrane and Alice Coltrane, he, in his own right, is an accomplished composer, arranger and performer. His current touring band includes Luis Perdomo on piano, Drew Gress on bass, and drummer E. J. Strickland. Visit www.ravicoltrane.com and ww.myspace.com/ravicoltrane.

Amiri Baraka, a poet icon and revolutionary political activist, will set the tone for the concert on September 22 with an introductory reflection on Coltrane's musical and spiritual legacy within the context of Black American culture, life, spirituality and the quest for freedom - then and now. Go to www.amiribaraka.com, where one can also listen to some of his work at www.amiribaraka.com/media.html.

The John Coltrane Memorial Ensemble is made up of some of the most distinguished musicians based in the Boston-area. This year's 30th anniversary Ensemble will include:

• Vocalist: Armsted Christian
• Keyboards: George W. Russell, Jr., Rollins Ross & Frank Wilkins
• Saxophones and flutes: Carl Atkins, Leonard Brown, Bill Pierce, Stan
• Strickland & Billy Thompson
• Trumpets: Jason Palmer & Michael Peipman
• Trombones/tuba: Bill Lowe & Gary Valente
• Bass: Tim Ingles, John Lockwood & Cecil McBee
• Drums & Percussion: Sa Davis, Keith Gibson & Syd Smart
• Guest Host: Eric Jackson of WGBH's "Eric in the Evening"
• Samples of their work can be heard at www.jcmc.neu.edu and www.myspace.com/johncoltranememorialconcert.

The first John Coltrane Memorial Concert (JCMC) was performed in Boston in July of 1977, in the Friends of Great Black Music Loft, a performance space for creative arts established by master percussionist Syd Smart. The annual concert then developed through the collective efforts of Syd Smart, bassist Hayes Burnet, and saxophonist Leonard Brown. From the beginning, JCMC's purpose has been to reflect on the rich musical and spiritual legacy of 'Trane through contemporary interpretations of his works, to inspire us all to work toward developing our full capacities as human beings, and to work for world peace. The JCMC is the world's oldest annual performance tribute to the musical and spiritual legacy of John Coltrane and draws a very diverse audience from throughout New England. Since its inception, over 20,000 people have attended the JCMC.

Established in 1994, the JCMC Educational Outreach Program (JCMCEOP), under the leadership of Dr. Leonard Brown and Dr. Emmett Price of Northeastern University's Departments of African American Studies and Music, has collaborated with Boston and Cambridge inner-city schools with predominantly minority student populations. The JCMCEOP has thus far impacted over 10,000 students. Their current collaborations are with the following elementary and secondary schools: Paige Academy (private) in Roxbury; Roland Hayes Division of Music at Madison Park (BPS); Health Careers Academy (BPS charter); Cambridge Rindge & Latin High School; Josiah Quincy Upper School (BPS); Conservatory Lab Charter School (Boston); South End Technology Center@Tent City (Boston); and Balfour Academy (Boston/NU). The ultimate goal of JCMCEOP is to introduce the legacy of African-American creative improvisational music to diverse urban school populations in order to expose young people to the qualities that can help one lead a successful life. These qualities include pursuance, focus, positive self-image, willingness to learn, and commitment to excellence.

The John Coltrane Memorial Concert is proud to acknowledge this year's sponsors which at press time are Northeastern University, WGBH Radio, and the Boston Phoenix Media/Communications Group. For updates on sponsors, log onto www.jcmc.neu.edu.