The Coltrane Tradition

RAVI COLTRANE

Mama Kin Playhouse

October 1

Thoughts and breath float down a golden saxophone and emerge as hundreds of liquid moans and cataclysmic rhythms on a night made for jazz. The Mama Kin Playhouse (owned by Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, of all people) presented Ravi Coltrane. As the son of John Coltrane, the legendary jazz musician, Ravi is making the saxophone a treasured trademark of the Coltrane family and also creating his own style. Dapper suits and casual jeans, cocktail dresses and T-shirts all stepped into the dim club with a quiet sophistication.

And soon, out of the low rumble of the crowd came the lustrous syncopation of a trumpet, drums, bass and saxophone.

Ravi is named after his father's friend, Ravi Shankar, the Indian sitar player and composer. While attending graduate school at Cal Arts in Valencia, Calif., Ravi met Ralph Alessi, who was also the night's trumpet player. Although Ravi was the featured musician, Alessi repeatedly upstaged his friend. The captivated audience watched as Alessi proved his expertise with almost perfect synchronization. Shouts of praise and waves of applause from former students of Alessi concluded each solo. Graceful competition and mutual admiration between these two masters filled the stage.

Yet Steve Hoss, the drummer, delivered the surprise of the evening. Hoss had flown to Rochester earlier that day to teach and returned to Boston for the concert before traveling to Europe for another show. His passionate playing contained sounds reminiscent of the same African drumbeats that lead to the beginnings of jazz. Lonnie Plaxico on bass, who had lost his waist-length dreds for a shaved look, rounded off the quartet.

These artists improvised individually, "swapping fours," harmonizing with elegance. Ravi teased the audience by halting the music once, only to flash a smile and trigger coy laughter from the crowd, which included students from the Berkeley School of Music, Boston University and Harvard.

The soft ballad "A Search for Peace" hushed the room in the first set, allowing the sax to whisper melodies in the silence. Next came "Giant Steps," one of the most difficult compositions in all of jazz. "Giant Steps" began slowly--as a tribute to the original 'Trane. The audience could not believe the rapid chords that blazed through the air. As the song ended, bodies that sat at the edges of their seats languidly slouched back, fatigued and in awe. A buzz of recuperation and conversation filled intermission, as a humble figure in black began mixing with the crowd.

Accosted by jazz lovers, advocates and supporters, a mellow Ravi modestly signed autographs. Kind conversations about his sister, Mickey, and his love of jazz floated to his listeners. Many contented fans calmly dispersed before the second set, leaving only the hard-core fans rapt past midnight. Musical glitter from the trumpet coated the few full chairs in a shade of mystery, beginning with "Mixed Media," a song composed by Ravi.

The ambiance seemed similar to what John Coltrane might have known before he exploded onto the jazz scene with Miles Davis: devoted musicians playing to half-empty clubs. Ravi dipped and swayed as he played, revealing a musician dedicated to giving his art to the world, trapped in a swirl of notes.

Among the musicians, pensive faces shined generously as a heavy cadence played to the late moon. It is a strong gift to watch brilliant artists take risks with each other, reveal their gentleness, and understand their connection with their vision of art. Their demeanor with each other showed only unselfishness, and each contribution was given with total "Body and Soul."

Out of the chaos, Ravi reigns, Alessi at his side, delicately raging as the new giant of jazz. His father, who created avant-garde jazz, said, "The main thing a musician would like to do is to give a picture to the listener of the many wonderful things he knows of and senses in the universe." Ravi is continuing to give beauty to the timeless appeal of jazz. He is handling us, showing us "Moving Pictures" of his world, timing the images to the pulse of history and the song of the future. Here stands the physique of John, the dignity of Ravi, the soul of the Coltrane.