From hard bop to transcendent spiritual jazz, this Jazz Minute narrated by saxophonist Chris Potter traces John Coltrane’s revolutionary journey and his connections to the San Francisco Bay Area.

2026 marks the centennial year of a true visionary – saxophonist John Coltrane – who transformed the language of modern jazz. Emerging from the gospel-influenced hard bop style of the 1950s, Coltrane forged new paths into modal jazz and the avant‑garde, expanding harmonic and rhythmic possibilities for the music. In this Jazz Minute episode narrated by SFJAZZ Collective saxophonist Chris Potter, you’ll also discover Coltrane’s important ties to the San Francisco Bay Area in the later years of his career, plus a few tributes that SFJAZZ presented over the years, which featured Coltrane’s bandmates, family and younger generations of artists.

SFJAZZ is celebrating Coltrane’s centennial all year long – including the “MIlestones: Miles & Coltrane at 100” themed Gala on May 7, 2026 as well as Terence Blanchard and Ravi Coltrane’s tribute on May 28-31, 2026 plus more TBA!