Sweet summer sounds slated for Second Annual Coltrane Music Festival

The Island Now

On Saturday, July 23 from 12 to 10:30 p.m. (Sunday, July 24 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 the Second Annual Coltrane Day Music Festival, an all-day, affordable, family-friendly festival of live music and music workshops in 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.

Building on the success of the inaugural event in 2015, the 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 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.

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,” Stein said.

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. 

Admission: Under 18, free; adults – $10 (requested donation). VIP packages available.

Share this Article