On July 25, 2024, the New York Historical Society Museum hosted a panel discussion in honor of Alice Coltrane’s creative legacy as a part of their “Women’s History Salons” series. This salon series features conversations about the impact of women on culture, leadership, and the arts. This installment of the salon highlighted Alice Coltrane’s success as a Black female musician while emphasizing her lasting impact on the world of jazz music. The panel participants included Michelle Coltrane, Brandee Younger, and historian Rhae Lynn Barnes.
Each of the three women had their own diverse backgrounds and histories which prompted thought provoking discussions throughout the event. As a historian specializing in American and Black culture, Barnes shared insights on the Black experience and how Alice Coltrane’s legacy has made a historical impact. Michelle Coltrane also participated in the conversation by sharing memories from her childhood living with her mother in the Dix Hills house. This added a more personal and relatable aspect to the historical elements of the discussion. Younger, a musician specializing in harp performances, brought her own perspective by sharing how she was honored to Alice’s compositions at various concerts and venues.
These conversations about the past and present sparked excitement for the future opening of the Coltrane Home, which will serve as a place that embodies the Coltrane spirit while inspiring a new generation of jazz musicians.
