John Morrison’s Philly Top 5: Coltrane’s neighborhood, video game music, the funkiest band you’ve never heard, more

This month, Philly’s music scene has been on fire with unprecedented energy and a number of activities. September marked the 100th anniversary of John Coltrane’s birth, and as one of our city’s most gifted and influential figures, we’ve been celebrating all month. From live performances and DJ sets to film screenings, exhibitions, lectures, and bus tours, the tributes to Coltrane’s legacy have been nonstop. These celebrations not only reminded me of the individual genius, but they also served as a testament to the creative spirit of the people who still live and work in Philadelphia. Here are five highlights that made this month truly special for me. 

Tracing Trane: A Tour of John Coltrane’s North Philadelphia

As part of the North Philadelphia History Festival: John Coltrane Edition, Scribe Video Center presented a bus tour throughout Coltrane’s neighborhood. Our tour guide was preservationist and Philly jazz historian Faye Anderson, who provided expert analysis of Coltrane’s relationship to North Philly. I don’t know if Anderson and Scribe plan on doing this again, but this kind of detailed, musically-rich tour of our city should be running regularly. 

Scott Sigl’s Zelda Project and Det Cart Sid at Nostalgia Fishtown

A few weeks back, I had the pleasure of hanging out at my neighborhood residential garage-turned intimate music venue, Nostalgia Fishtown. Composer/pianist Scott Sigl brought his Zelda Project in for a night of gorgeous jazz takes on Koji Kondo’s classic video game scores. Det Cart Sid opened and blew me away with their jazz-informed psychedelia music. It was a dope show all around and a great night for music that was both high concept and rich with feeling.

Philly Jazz Scene 

A resource that I’ve constantly tapped into for a while now has been PhillyJazzScene.com. This comprehensive site features a calendar that highlights live jazz performances throughout Philly and the surrounding areas. In addition to the calendar, the site hosts a big database of artists, venues, and studios. This is an invaluable resource that folks can get plenty of use out of. 

Catalyst: The Funkiest Band You Never Heard

Speaking of Philly jazz, I’ve been revisiting the catalog of local legends, Catalyst. Bridging the gaps between fusion, funk, bop, and beyond, Catalyst was one of the top jazz bands in the city throughout the 1970s. My introduction to the band came way back in 1999 with this compilation, The Funkiest Band You Never Heard. Pulling from Catalyst’s fantastic discography, this comp is the perfect primer for anyone looking to check out some forward-thinking music. 

Gallery Talks: Jazz and the Visual Arts

As part of their Pay What You Wish Fridays, the Philadelphia Museum of Art has been offering guided gallery lectures exploring the relationship between jazz and the visual arts. From pieces like Willem de Kooning’s fiery oil painting Noon to Claude Clark’s Jam Session, the art highlighted in these lectures is a powerful visual representation of the vitality of jazz.