John Coltrane
Evenings At The Village Gate: John Coltrane With Eric Dolphy
Impulse!
Released 07/14/23 | Listen Below
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Recently—and thankfully—unearthed from The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts’ expansive sound archives, the never-heard-before Evenings At The Village Gate: John Coltrane With Eric Dolphy showcases two musical luminaries gracing the same stage at the iconic New York City jazz venue. Recorded during John Coltrane’s month-long residency at the Village Gate in the summer of 1961, the eighty-minute, five-song distillation of his and Eric Dolphy’s collaborative performances offers intriguing insight into the pair’s symbiotic yet short-lived creative partnership (Dolphy passed away three years later in 1964, three years before Coltrane’s death in 1967).
Featuring an all-star ensemble comprised of pianist McCoy Tyner, drummer Elvin Jones, and bassist Reggie Workman alongside the legendary saxophonist and flautist, Evenings At The Village Gate includes luminous performances of Coltrane’s “My Favorite Things,” “Impressions” and “Greensleeves.” The set also includes the only known non-studio recording of “Africa” (with bassist Art Davis), which appeared on his studio album Africa/Brass released in September 1961, soon after his Village Gate residency concluded.
Liner notes accompanying the physical formats of Evenings At The Village Gate include essays from Workman, recording engineer Rich Alderson, historian Ashley Kahn, jazz legend Branford Marsalis and saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin.
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