Aligning Philadelphia’s Jazz Community Around The John Coltrane Centennial
John Coltrane, born on September 23, 1926, came of age in Philadelphia, the city where he found his voice, built his community, and launched a musical revolution that changed the world.
One hundred years later, Philadelphia has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to honor his legacy through a coordinated, citywide celebration rooted in artistic excellence, community, and equity.
Coltrane100 Philly is a season of performances, exhibitions, education programming, and community events uniting Philadelphia’s neighborhoods, artists, organizations, and institutions around the legacy of one of our greatest sons. Coltrane100 Philly will offer coordinated programming across the city with landmark programming around Coltrane’s 100th birthday, and culminating in November with a tribute to the 60th anniversary of Coltrane’s seminal recording Offering: Live at Temple University.
This celebration is made possible through the generosity of Senator Vincent Hughes and the collaborative leadership of Jazz Philadelphia, Creative PHL, WRTI, and Ars Nova Workshop.
Events
Coltrane 100 Philly
Community Project Grant
The Coltrane100 Philly Community Project Grant is an investment in the artists who carry Philadelphia jazz tradition forward. In recognition of John Coltrane’s 100th birthday and his connection to Philadelphia, this program places resources directly in the hands of local jazz artists to bring Coltrane’s legacy to our city’s communities.
This is not a commission for a single event. It is an invitation to every funded artist to become a contributor to the larger citywide celebration.
Grants are offered through two tracks designed to meet artists where they are: one for artists who are ready to independently curate and produce their own community programming, and one for artists who would benefit from curatorial and production support to develop a short series of projects.
Grant application opens on July 23, 2026
Coltrane Community Circle
The Coltrane Community Circle is Jazz Philadelphia’s open invitation to jazz audiences, Coltrane fans, and Philadelphia community members to become active contributors to the Coltrane Centennial Celebration. There are many ways to get involved. Find the one that fits you.
Share Your Coltrane 100 Philly Plans
If you or your organization have Centennial programming planned, we want to know about it: concerts, workshops, exhibitions, listening events, or anything in between. Your submission helps build the citywide Centennial calendar and connects you with partnership opportunities across the Jazz Philadelphia Xchange network.
Contact us at info@coltrane100philly.org for more information!