‘She made it sound like the cosmos breathing’: the revival of jazz harpist and pianist Alice Coltrane
Why it matters: Alice Coltrane's overdue revival corrects historical gender bias and reshapes the jazz canon.
- Alice Coltrane's radical work was initially dismissed by sexist critics and overshadowed by her late husband John's legacy.
- Contemporary musical stars from Doja Cat to David Byrne are now championing her experimental sound, nearly two decades after her death.
- The revival signifies a cultural re-evaluation of female artists whose contributions were historically marginalized.
Once dismissed by sexist critics and overshadowed by her husband John Coltrane's legacy, the radical jazz harpist and pianist Alice Coltrane is experiencing a powerful revival, with contemporary stars like Doja Cat and David Byrne championing her experimental sound. This resurgence highlights a re-evaluation of her profound musical contributions, which were previously undervalued due to gender bias.
