NPR

By Any Name, Alice Coltrane Turiyasangitananda Was A Force

Some unearthed recordings from this musician-turned-spiritual-leader reveal the many layers of Alice Coltrane's artistic — and personal — identity.

The music of the late Alice Coltrane Turiyasangitananda, the wife of the jazz giant John Coltrane, has always rested somewhat in the shadows. It didn't help that she gave her career up — to become a spiritual leader.

But some of her Hindu-inspired recordings by this composer, pianist, organist, harpist, keyboard player and singer have just been released commercially for the first time. A concert featuring some of that material is taking place tonight in Brooklyn, as part of the Red Bull Music Academy Festival.

Alice and John.

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