Coltrane 100: Both Directions at Once
About This Event
Coltrane 100: Both Directions at Once at NJPAC brings together drummer Jeff Tain Watts, bassist-composer John Patitucci, tenor saxophonist Melissa Aldana and South African pianist-composer Nduduzo Makhathini. Watts is known for his work with prominent artists and his contributions to jazz; Patitucci for his bass playing and compositional range. Aldana’s established role in New York’s scene and Makhathini’s engagement with African musical traditions shape a program attentive to lineage and composition.
About Both Directions at Once
“Both Directions at Once” revisits the 1963 studio sessions John Coltrane recorded with his Classic Quartet, material that disappeared for decades and resurfaced in 2018 as a document of a band in transition. At NJPAC, the music is reinterpreted by Joe Lovano, Melissa Aldana, Nduduzo Makhathini, John Patitucci, and Jeff Tain Watts, tracing Coltrane’s push between structure and open improvisation. In a New York jazz lineage shaped by Coltrane’s own working years in the city, this program reads as a living footnote. One clear takeaway is how unfinished ideas can still set the terms for the present.
About the Artists
Melissa Aldana
Immerse yourself in the evocative world of jazz with Melissa Aldana, a distinguished tenor saxophonist who has become a vital presence in New York City's cultural tapestry. Known for her innovative approach and expressive sound, Melissa captivates audiences at esteemed venues such as Smoke Jazz & Supper Club, NJPAC, and the Blue Note Jazz Club.
Nduduzo Makhathini
Nduduzo Makhathini is a South African jazz pianist and composer, known for his contributions to the contemporary jazz scene and his exploration of African musical traditions.
John Patitucci
John Patitucci is an American jazz double bassist and composer known for his work in various genres, particularly jazz, and has collaborated with numerous prominent musicians.
Jeff Tain Watts
Jeff Tain Watts is an acclaimed American jazz drummer known for his work with prominent artists and his contributions to the jazz genre.