Alice Coltrane

Pianist and composer Alice Coltrane shimmers on a set of her original tunes and honors the legacy of her husband, saxophonist John Coltrane. She also duets with host Marian McPartland in Trane's "Giant Steps" and "Miles' Mode". Coltrane opens the program with two of her compositions: "Transfiguration" and "Prema". Her skill as a harpist is reflected in the sparkling, light treble notes of her right hand; with the other hand, she brings the broad, suspended chords of her days playing the organ. Coltrane's playing is dense, which made her a natural replacement for John's former pianist, McCoy Tyner. McPartland performs solo in the ballad "Naima", before the two get into a final duet in another solid John Coltrane tune, "Blues Minor," to close the program. Music as heard on National Public Radio. Recorded December 4, 1981.

Alice Coltrane: piano
Marian McPartland: piano