John Coltrane Estate Unveils ‘Coltrane 100’ Centennial Celebration With Symphonic Concert, Rare and Unreleased Recordings, Events and More

The centennial of John Coltrane's birth in 2026 will be commemorated with "Coltrane 100," a worldwide, year-long tribute organized by the legendary saxophonist's estate. This expansive celebration will feature new releases, live performances, and special events honoring his enduring legacy as a composer and bandleader.

A cornerstone of the anniversary is the inaugural release of the "Tiberi Tapes," a legendary collection of private live recordings. Captured by musician Frank Tiberi between 1961 and 1965 at clubs in New York and Philadelphia, these tapes have long been mythologized among collectors. Jamie Krents, president-CEO of UMe and Verve Label Group, noted, "We’re thrilled to finally get to share these recordings of Coltrane’s musical evolution with the world." The full collection will debut via Impulse! Records in September 2026, preceded by a Record Store Day preview titled "The Tiberi Tapes: a Preview of the Mythical Recordings" on April 18.

Live performances will be a major focus, highlighted by the Los Angeles premiere of "Coltrane 100: Legacy" at the Hollywood Bowl on September 23—Coltrane's exact 100th birthday. This symphonic event will feature new orchestral arrangements of his groundbreaking works. Acclaimed saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin, whose 2020 album 'Pursuance' reinterpreted works by John and Alice Coltrane, will perform as soloist with her band and a 16-piece orchestra. The evening will close with a final Hollywood Bowl performance by trumpeter Wynton Marsalis. The celebration travels to St. Louis on February 28, where the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Edwin Outwater and featuring soloist Joe Lovano, will present the program.

An extensive slate of catalog releases is planned throughout 2026. Impulse! Records, the iconic label Coltrane called home for his most avant-garde work, will reissue seminal albums including "Africa/Brass," "Impressions," and "Ascension" on specific dates. The label also unveiled the first official music video for "A Love Supreme: 'Acknowledgement,'" directed by AG Rojas and filmed to recreate the Van Gelder Studio session from 1964. Craft Recordings will spotlight Coltrane's early career with "The Best of John Coltrane" in March, while Rhino Records has already launched the centennial with a limited-edition mono vinyl box set of his pivotal 1960-1964 albums, limited to 2,000 numbered copies.

In a historic move, two key residences will open to the public for the first time. The John & Alice Coltrane Home in Dix Hills, New York—where the couple lived during a period of profound spiritual and artistic exploration—and The John Coltrane House in Philadelphia—where the young musician developed his foundational style—will serve as cultural hubs. Each will host major centennial initiatives: a collaboration with ShapeShifter Lab in New York focusing on performance and education, and a citywide tribute in Philadelphia with Ars Nova Workshop emphasizing youth engagement. As one music historian observed, "Opening these homes transforms them from private landmarks into public classrooms, allowing a new generation to connect with the environments that fueled Coltrane's relentless innovation."