On Wednesday, September 23—John Coltrane’s 94th birthday—Qobuz Live (Qobuz’ new weekly livestream series) and Rhino will present a historic livestream panel discussion on John Coltrane’s groundbreaking 1960 album Giant Steps, celebrating the album’s 60th anniversary with a panel of four leading saxophonists, representing successive generations of jazz talent shaped by Coltrane’s influence, and moderated by two leading music historians versed in the African American musical tradition. This virtual roundtable also marks the release by Rhino of GIANT STEPS: 60th ANNIVERSARY DELUXE EDITION (on CD and LP formats) and SUPER DELUXE EDITION (download and streaming), featuring remastered versions of the classic Coltrane recording, arriving on September 18. Qobuz, the world’s only Hi-Res music streaming service and download store, will feature GIANT STEPS: 60th ANNIVERSARY SUPER DELUXE EDITION on its platform in 24-bit/96 kHz quality.
This in-depth conversation will stream live across multiple channels, including Facebook Live (from Qobuz USA’s Facebook page, as well as John Coltrane’s), YouTube, and LinkedIn, and be available afterward for on-demand viewing. RSVP HERE. The discussion will celebrate John Coltrane and his enduring musical imprint, focusing on the recording of Giant Steps, its initial impact upon release, and its lasting influence and relevance today. As a bold, revolutionary statement by an African American pioneer, Giant Steps inspired and was heard as part of the soundtrack to the Civil Rights era; Coltrane himself spoke of his desire to create music that could reach people’s hearts, to share his message of connection and love. Sixty years on, the album’s importance and stature remains undiminished, serving as a guiding light to a new generation of African American musicians seeking to empower and uplift with their music at a time when it is most needed.
Panelists include:
● Saxophonist and educator Archie Shepp, one of the leading figures of the 1960s avant-garde jazz scene and whose friendship with Coltrane led to a recording contract and some of the most era-defining recordings.
● Jazz and R&B saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin, who performed at President Barack Obama’s Inauguration, has performed with Alicia Keys, Stevie Wonder, The Roots, and whose latest album Pursuance pays tribute to both John and his wife, Alice Coltrane.
● Shabaka Hutchings, the celebrated British saxophonist and leader of three groups (Shabaka and the Ancestors, Sons of Kemet, and The Comet is Coming), now signed to Impulse Records, the label John Coltrane helped make famous.
● Chilean-born saxophonist Melissa Aldana’s sound and tone have earned her widespread critical acclaim. In 2013, she was the first female instrumentalist to win the coveted Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazzcompetition.
Moderators will be:
● GRAMMY®-winning Coltrane historian and NYU professor Ashley Kahnand author of two books on John Coltrane: A Love Supreme: The Story of John Coltrane’s Signature Album, and The House That Trane Built: The Story of Impulse Records
● Writer/musician Greg Tate, Louis Armstrong Visiting Professor atColumbia University’s Center for Jazz Studies and founding member of black music collective The Black Rock Coalition, and leader of the experimental music ensemble Burnt Sugar.
Qobuz USA Managing Director Dan Mackta said of the panel: “John Coltrane’s recordings hold an exalted place in our library. The incredible sound of this new remaster will inspire all who hear it. Putting together this panel event has been one of the most meaningful things we’ve been able to do since launching in the US last year.”
Stream and download Giant Steps: 60th Anniversary Deluxe Edition on 9/18 at Qobuz:
Stream: https://open.qobuz.com/album/pqw6qlp09nqcb
