If you’re a John Coltrane fan with views on what should happen to the jazz superstar’s childhood home in High Point, now’s your chance to express your opinions.
On Thursday, Jan. 30, the Coltrane Executive Committee will host a community presentation for anyone who wants to learn about Coltrane and his music or offer input on the best use of the house he grew up in. The public meeting regarding the future of that local landmark will be held at 6 p.m. at the Penn-Griffin School for the Arts at 825 Washington St. in High Point.
Born in an apartment in Hamlet, North Carolina, Coltrane and his parents moved to High Point where Coltrane grew up and attended William Penn High School. He went on to become a world-famous jazz musician through tracks such as “My Favorite Things” and “A Love Supreme.” Coltrane is now known as one of the most influential saxophonists of all time and, every year in late summer, High Point holds a jazz festival honoring him.
The Coltrane Executive Committee is made up of High Point residents, city staff and elected officials who have been tasked with “implementing a plan to transform the historic home into a revitalized community asset that highlights community and celebrates the legacy.”
The house Coltrane grew up in was built by his grandfather – the Rev. W.W. Blair – in 1928. That home, as well as the neighborhood around it, has seen much better days, but city officials are hoping that revitalizing the house will also help rejuvenate the area around it.
After getting input from the citizens at the Jan. 30 event, the committee will make its decisions and provide recommendations to the High Point City Council as to the best way to use the house.
For the record, John Coltrane recorded “My Favorite Things” on an album in 1961. However, he did not write this song. It was written by Rogers and Hammerstein for the Broadway show “A Sound of Music” in 1959. It became much more famous as a result of Julie Andrews’ rendition in the movie of the same name. Coltrane was a great jazz sax player and his version of the song is a jazz standard.
I am viewing this post on 2/3/2020, may be too late to influence decisions. Please consider preserving the home of an American Legend who was influential around the world and across generations.
I live in very close proximity to John Coltrane’s home in Dix Hills, New York.
While it has taken years to coordinate, the valuable property has been granted landmark status and has been renovated and saved to be used as an educational influence for our school music programs.
Robert Fischer