As the sun began to set over Siena’s Fortezza Medicea on June 21, 2026, a large audience composed mainly of Siena Jazz students gathered to hear one of the last living witnesses to several crucial chapters in modern jazz history. In conversation with musicologist Francesco Martinelli, bassist Reggie Workman revisited the Philadelphia of John Coltrane and McCoy Tyner, reflected on the meaning of community, recalled the birth of Collective Black Artists in New York, shared rarely heard stories about Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis and Elvin Jones, and offered a lifetime’s worth of reflections on music, education and responsibility. Coltrane, Philadelphia and the Meaning of Community Francesco Martinelli: During our conversations over the last few days, John Coltrane’s name has come up many times. What struck me was that you spoke of him not only as a great leader, but as a spiritual mentor and guide. Reggie Workman: Yes, indeed. John […]
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