Coltrane Revisited has filled Birdland every year for a quarter century, and this edition coincides with the 100th anniversary of John Coltrane's birth. The closing night is the one to target, since both tenor players, Jimmy Greene and Troy Roberts, share the stage with Helen Sung, Lonnie Plaxico and Steve Smith. If you only catch one jazz club set this weekend, a Coltrane tribute in his centennial year is hard to beat.
What to expect
Birdland is a supper-club room: tables face the stage, servers take food and drink orders during the set, and each seating is a separate ticketed show. The late sets start later on the weekend nights, and doors open well ahead of showtime so the room can be seated. Expect Coltrane repertoire from the classic quartet era onward, played by a working all-star band.
Good to know
- Book a specific set in advance; tribute runs here tend to sell out.
- Minimum age for entry is 10.
- Arrive early: doors open before showtime and seating is arranged on arrival.
- The A/C/E to 42nd Street–Port Authority is a short walk away.
- Check which saxophonist plays which night if you have a favorite; the lineup rotates.
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Common questions
Who is in the Coltrane Revisited band?
Helen Sung on piano, Lonnie Plaxico on bass and Steve Smith on drums, with Jimmy Greene and Troy Roberts on saxophones on alternating nights and together on the final night.
Why is this year special?
Birdland says its 25th annual Coltrane celebration coincides with the global centennial of Coltrane's birth.
Can kids attend?
The listed minimum age is 10.