John Coltrane’s Interstellar Space

 Concert

Saxophonist Steve Alford and percussionist Jeff Arnal bring Interstellar Space to High Point, NC, the city where Coltrane grew up.

As the celebration of John Coltrane’s 100th birthday continues, saxophonist Steve Alford and percussionist Jeff Arnal bring Interstellar Space to High Point, North Carolina, the city where Coltrane grew up and began his musical journey.

Recorded in February 1967, just months before Coltrane’s death, Interstellar Space brought Coltrane together with drummer Rashied Ali for a series of extraordinary duets. Without piano or bass, the music moved beyond conventional jazz structures into an open exploration of rhythm, sound, and spiritual possibility. Nearly sixty years later, it remains one of the most radical and compelling recordings in improvised music.

Following a September performance in Asheville marking Coltrane’s centennial, Alford and Arnal return to this music in a place deeply connected to his life. Both musicians have spent decades exploring jazz, experimental music, and free improvisation, bringing their own experiences and musical histories to this encounter.

Rather than attempting to recreate Coltrane and Ali’s recording, Alford and Arnal approach Interstellar Space as an invitation to keep exploring. Their performance unfolds as a spontaneous conversation between saxophone and percussion, shaped by listening, exchange, and the unpredictable possibilities of the moment.
Bringing this music to Coltrane’s hometown is both a celebration of his extraordinary legacy and a reminder that his work continues to open new possibilities for musicians and listeners alike.