2016 Coltrane Day Music Festival to Celebrate Community & Music Next Month

Huntington, NY - On Saturday, July 23rd 12 noon - 10:30 PM (Sunday, July 24th rain date), The Coltrane Home in Dix Hills in conjunction with the Town of Huntington Summer Arts Festival and the Huntington Arts Council will be staging an all-day, affordable, family-friendly festival of live music and music workshops in beautiful Heckscher Park, Huntington Village.

"Building Community through Music" is this year's theme as the event celebrates the legacies of music giants John and Alice Coltrane, who lived in Dix Hills. The Festival will host workshops, master-classes, community jams and live performances for all ages and levels. World class Live music performances, including jazz, funk, blues, hip-hop, gospel, electronic music and jamband will be featured, with top local music talent on display. Local arts and food are included this year along with many opportunities for young musicians to play with professionals. With the recent announcement that Tri-State Cadillac has stepped up as Title Sponsor for the event, other corporate sponsors and vendor booths will be available to the public as well.

People may know about Coltrane's transformative impact on the world of jazz, where he has achieved nearly god-like status. What most people don't realize is the incredible and acknowledged influence John Coltrane has had on the non-jazz world. From rock, to pop and R&B, world music, rap and hip-hop, Coltrane's influence has been tremendous. Here are just a few bands and musicians who have credited him with having been extremely influential: the Doors, Grateful Dead, Jefferson Starship, Carlos Santana, John McLaughlin, Eric Clapton, Bono and U2, Allman Brothers, Mos Def, Rakim, Gil Scott Heron, Common, Flying Lotus, Audioslave, the Byrds... the list is nearly endless. "When you think of the long solo for extended periods of personal expression, think Coltrane," says Ron Stein, President of the Coltrane Home in Dix Hills.

Building on the success of the inaugural event in 2015, the second annual Coltrane Day Music Festival will raise funds for the restoration and transformation of the home into a cultural center and park and support ongoing and expanded education and outreach programming focused on empowering young people and fostering creativity. This is consistent with the late Alice Coltrane's stated goal for the Home, to "Inspire people of all ages and backgrounds to participate in the making of music and the creative process."

The significance of the Home as the residence of not one but two great African American artists and furthering the Coltrane Legacy cannot be overstated - music which impacted music lovers worldwide and inspired musicians across music genres and cultures, including rock, hip-hop, classical, and Indian and African artists.

The "Friends of the Coltrane Home" -- aka "The Coltrane Home in Dix Hills"
-- hopes that this event can be a boon to the region's awareness of the Coltranes' legacy and furthering the organization's goals. Last year's event celebrated the 50th anniversary of the release of "A Love Supreme" - John Coltrane's iconic masterpiece composed at the home. According to Stein, "This year's theme -- "Building Community Through Music" - reminds us that nothing brings people together and connects us like music. Creating an event where people of all ages and backgrounds can enjoy listening, participating, and developing an appreciation for the incredible gifts the Coltranes have left us is a special opportunity anyone who loves music shouldn't miss."

The Day's Events:

The Coltrane Day Music Festival offers something for everyone, including jazz, funk, blues, electronic, hip-hop, gospel and more with a tremendous lineup of headline talent. Featured artists include jazz and funk trumpet giant Randy Brecker (of Brecker Brothers fame), Charles Neville (Neville Brothers) who will bring his New Orleans sound into town, Firey String Sistas! featuring Nioka Workman and Mala Waldron- both daughters of jazz giants (bassist Reggie Workman and pianist MAl Waldron) who performed and recorded with John Coltrane, award-winning Downbeat baritone sax winner Gary Smulyan, sax phenom Melissa Aldana and jazz vocalist Michelle Coltrane (daughter of John and Alice Coltrane). The day culminates with jazz drumming legend Roy Haynes - who played and recorded with John Coltrane - and his Fountain of Youth Band (as part of the Summer Arts Festival).

While headline performers continue to be announced, highlighted local bands will also be on display including jam band The Electrix, with music to include gospel and more.

The workshops and community jams, huge successes at last year's event, are sure to be highpoints once again as musicians, young and old get to sit in with peers and professionals in a supportive environment. Workshops for a wide range of ages and skills will be available, including funk, blues, hip-hop, electronic music, songwriting, with the Coltrane Home's Legacy Education Project workshops in percussion and music improvisation in full swing as well. Community Jams - enormously popular last year - are coming back this year in jazz, funk, and blues. Coaches will also be available offering one-on-one assistance to aspiring musicians. Additional information will be announced in the coming weeks and pre-registration for workshops is strongly encouraged.

Full List of Workshops Offered:

- Percussion I, II

- Music Improv I,II, III

- Hip-hop/Rap

- Electronic Music

- Songwriting

- Improvisation Master Class

- Girls-Only Music Improv (w/ Nioka Workman & Mala Waldron)

- Funk

- Blues

- Vocal w/Michelle Coltrane

Community Jams:

- Funk

- Blues

- Jazz

Said Stein, "Kids were telling me last year that this was one of the best days of their lives. Other older folks were telling me this was better than Woodstock. The smiles last year were unbelievable!"

Building on last year, local performers and members of high school and college bands will also take the stage, as a special stage is being set up to highlight local music talent. The organization is hoping that this is an element that will be greatly expanded. "There is so much incredible local music talent here just crying for an opportunity to be heard. We need to help that along," says Stein.

In celebration of Alice Coltrane's impact as an accomplished and highly influential female jazz and Eastern spiritual music artist, a commitment to encouraging and supporting women instrumentalists, composers and improvisers is an integral part of both Coltrane Day 2016 and the mission of the Coltrane Home. Accordingly, the day will feature women artists in multiple settings including a women's musical collective performance and a workshop geared towards female music students of all ages. A women-only headline ensemble is soon-to-be announced.

This year's event also offers other family-friendly amenities. Food vendors will be offering a variety of food and beverage items, an artist booth (working with the Long Island Arts Alliance), highlighting the creative work of local arts will provide a new and exciting area of interest. Artists of different levels will also be drawing and painting during the day. Adding to the attractions will be sponsor booths, and hangout areas where musicians can jam and work with coaches in the beautiful Heckscher Park setting.

So come join in the celebration as the Second Annual Coltrane Day Music Festival kicks off Saturday, July 23rd 12 noon - 10:30 PM (Sunday, July 24th rain date) at Heckscher Park, 100 Main Street, Huntington, NY 11743! Admission: Under 18, free; adults - $10 (requested donation). VIP packages available.

For more information, visit www.thecoltranehome.org or follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/coltranehome.??

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