Ravi Coltrane and David Liebman came together Sunday, September 28, at the Half Hollow Hills Community Library in Dix Hills, to talk about John Coltrane’s life, work, and music.  After the performance the artists visited the Coltrane Collection computer and enjoyed browsing through the images there with Coltrane collector and scholar Yasuhiro Fujioka.

While you’re here, sit down and try out the Coltrane Computer, located by the magzines, just past the DVDs, in a warm spot by a window.

The Coltrane Computer in Dix Hills

The Half Hollow Hills Library in Dix Hills now has a computer database specifically dedicated to John’s music and pictures.  Much of the information has been donated by collector supreme Yasuhiro “Fuji” Fujioka and include some exclusive photos not found elsewhere.  The computer is located by the magazines, just past the DVDs, in a warm spot by a window.  Sit down, put on the headphones, and get ready to be moved by the music.

Director Steve Fulgoni giving flutes to excited children with school para Ms. Lee observing happily.

The second graders creating their music during the Cotton Candy Club reception.

Parents of children volunteering their time to make this project memorable and meaningful! Pictures of musicians Robert Johnson, Miles Davis, Etta James, and BB King with the legend John Coltrane overlooking the group.

Ms. Christine Passarella with her own children Victoria and Anthony standing proudly with her students.

The girls thrilled to receive autographed CD’s from Mr. Vignapiano.

The boys showing off their very own CD’s. They will be able to remember the music they wrote their lyrics to forever and ever!

Encouraging fans of the children artist Jeff  Hopkins and Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Joanna Massey. Both support Ms. Passarella’s way of teaching using Howard Gardners Multiple Intelligence Theory.

Boys getting ready to perform in honor of John Coltrane

Girls anticipating a wonderful day before their performance.

Audience getting ready for a great show! Director of the nonprofit group Friends of the Coltrane Home Steve Fulgoni in the audience! (Sitting far left)

The giving spirit of John Coltrane was all around us. Teacher Ms. Passarella quoted Elvin Jones, Coltrane’s gifted drummer. He said that, “John Coltrane was an angel…a real angel.”

The children dancing an original dance which they called Chasin the Trane.

The team making sure everything goes off without any problems.

Parents of our stars in the front rows with Superintendent of Schools Anita Saunders far left first row.

Students listening to Jazz guitarist Louis Vignapiano playing the guitar so beautifully. They wrote lyrics to his original music during the second grade. They sang and danced to these original songs during the show.

Class 2-119 and Louis Armstrong singing Bob Thiele’s It’s A Wonderful World. The audience quickly jumped in!

Holliswood School Principal Diane Hobbs congratulating the performers, and encourging the students at our school to be philanthropic and help the nonprofit group Friends of the Coltrane Home with their efforts.

State Senator Frank Padavan with teacher Ms. Christine Passarella. He was touched by these precious children.

Louis Vignapiano chatting with John Coltelli who is a supporter of the Friends of the Coltrane Home and was also reporting on the event for a Queens newspaper.

We share Steve’s dream of bringing life back to the house, fill it with children learning about jazz and how a musician lived his life in suburbs, and to inspire visitors with John Coltrane’s deep spirit and soul, which can still be felt when you walk through the rooms.

Thanks for visiting our new website for the Coltrane Home in Dix Hills, NY !!  We have updated the original website which you may know from www.dixhills.com.  That website was created at the start of our grass roots efforts to save the Coltrane home from demolition in 2004.  This website was very useful in helping us save the home but we have decided to “bring it up to date” and focus on making it more interactive, through our blog, with posts on the latest news, information, educational programs and how we can use your help.

As you know, the home was saved from demolition but we still have a long way to go to restore it and open it to the public.  Stay tuned for more information and details …   Steve