Saxophone Summit - Into The Light
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Joe Lovano and Dave Liebman are joined by Ravi Coltrane in the new line-up of Saxophone Summit. Following the death of Michael Brecker, Ravi stepped into the breach with his tenor-playing colleagues to find a way to remember both Brecker and Ravi’s father John Coltrane on the breathtaking new album Seraphic Light. Recorded with the intent of reflecting both the integrity and spirituality of both Brecker and Coltrane, dwelling particularly on the late underappreciated period of Trane’s career, Stuart Nicholson talks to the three tenors about a brave venture which meant so much to all concerned.
Saxophone Summit are back. After the tragic death of Michael Brecker in January last year, the critically-acclaimed saxophone triumvirate, that also featured Dave Liebman and Joe Lovano and famously dubbed “the three tenors”, seemed as if it would be no more. But now Liebman and Lovano have returned with saxophonist Ravi Coltrane in Brecker’s stead to release Seraphic Light, marking a new beginning for the band. “Michael would have wanted us to keep moving on and play the music,” says Liebman. “This project is certainly different without him, but Ravi more than filled in.”
From the very beginning Saxophone Summit seemed on the verge of something special. Their debut album from 2004, Gathering of the Spirits, was well received and to many observers, the world seemed to be their oyster. It was not to be. However, their questing, on-the-edge excursions into the musical spaces opened up by the late John Coltrane during the final experimental phase of his career, proved to be as exciting for Liebman as it was for Lovano.
After Brecker’s death the pair decided to reconvene the three tenor saxophone line-up and it seemed wholly appropriate that they approach Ravi Coltrane, John Coltrane’s son. Rehearsals and a performance at Manhattan’s Symphony Space featuring the new line-up allowed Ravi Coltrane to find his way into a new repertoire. “Doing things on your own you can get into a specific place,” he says. “But doing it within a collective, especially with very, very talented people, there’s an accelerated potential for growth.”
But, as the jazz world knows, Ravi Coltrane suffered the loss of his mother, Alice Coltrane – John’s widow – just 24 hours after Brecker’s death. So when they came to record Seraphic Light in October last year, the mood was sombre yet warm and optimistic. “In the wake of Mike’s untimely passing and also the loss of Alice Coltrane, this project took on a very personal life of its own,” explains Lovano.
“This recording included pieces from the later Coltrane period and Alice played piano on all those pieces, making it an incredibly deep experience for all of us. I think that spirituality comes through on the album.”
It’s a point echoed by both Liebman and Ravi Coltrane. “This recording was one of the most dramatic I’ve done,” asserts Liebman.
“It was deeply emotional because of the loss of Michael, and it was a heavy time for Ravi, since his mom had also passed but had graciously accepted our invitation. He brings light, youth and of course an undeniably powerful blood line.”
This is an extract from Jazzwise Issue #121 to read the full feature and receive a Free CD Subscribe Here...