Miguel Atwood-Ferguson reworks Coltrane with a 21-piece ensemble
Miguel Atwood-Ferguson has released ANANTA: Spirit Of Coltrane on Impulse!, marking John Coltrane’s centennial year. A 21-piece ensemble includes Brandee Younger, Jeff Parker, Flying Lotus and Shabaka Hutchings. The programme turns Giant Steps into a ballad, revisits Naima and includes an original composition by poet aja monet alongside the Coltrane repertoire.
Arts··Evening
Coltrane’s centennial brings 21 musicians together
Miguel Atwood-Ferguson released ANANTA: Spirit Of Coltrane on 30 October.[1], [2]
The composer, arranger and multi-instrumentalist leads the project. The album, issued by Impulse! Records, honours John Coltrane during the jazz musician’s centennial year. Its 21-piece collective includes Brandee Younger, Jeff Parker, Flying Lotus, Immanuel Wilkins, Shabaka Hutchings and Azar Lawrence.[1]
The release also appeared in Stephen Mejias’s selection of new albums at Twittering Machines.[2]
Giant Steps becomes a ballad
The new arrangements take different approaches to Coltrane’s repertoire. According to the label’s release notes, A Love Supreme, Pt. II (Resolution), Central Park West and My Favorite Things remain relatively close to their earlier forms. Naima is reshaped while retaining elements of its harmony. Giant Steps is turned from a fast-moving showcase into a ballad. That track features Shabaka Hutchings and Joel Ross, while Naima features Brandee Younger and Ross.[1]
aja monet contributes an original composition
The album, alongside the Coltrane repertoire, includes a force, an original composition by poet aja monet. Flying Lotus, Immanuel Wilkins, David Virelles and Marcus Gilmore appear on Compassion. Jeff Parker and Elena Pinderhughes contribute to After The Rain. The project finds a home at Impulse!, a label associated with Coltrane’s own major recordings. The release notes describe Atwood-Ferguson’s intention as keeping the music recognisable while allowing another generation of musicians to reshape it.[1]
