Ars Nova presents Immanuel Wilkins Quartet // Divine Offering

Please join Ars Nova Workshop in celebrating the life and legacy of John Coltrane on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of his birth, with acclaimed saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins and a celebration of the music of Alice Coltrane, at the Mandell Theater on Saturday, September 26, 2026.

John Coltrane changed the course of music, but his story is also deeply rooted in Philadelphia. In 2026, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of his birth, Ars Nova Workshop will present COLTRANE 100 — a citywide constellation of performances, conversations, exhibitions, listening events, community gatherings, educational programs, and neighborhood activations honoring Coltrane’s enduring legacy and Philadelphia’s central role in shaping it. Developed in collaboration with the John and Alice Coltrane estate, artists, scholars, community leaders, and cultural partners across the city, the initiative will unfold across venues, libraries, public spaces, and neighborhoods throughout Philadelphia.

This special double bill explores the wider universe of Coltrane’s legacy. Born in Philadelphia, Immanuel Wilkins is a saxophonist, composer, and multidisciplinary artist working at the intersection of sound, performance, and visual composition. In addition to his musical practice, Wilkins works with bronze sculptures, large-scale megaphones, public sculptural playgrounds, and works on paper that examine the graphic score, inspirations that echo Coltrane’s own voracious curiosities. Wilkins will be joined by a number of special guests to honor Trane’s centennial. In addition, vocalist and composer Michelle Coltrane, the daughter of John and Alice Coltrane, will honor her mother’s devotional music with a program entitled Divine Offering: Celebrating the Legacy of Alice Turiyasangitananda with Sita Michelle Coltrane.