Philly seeks to repair Coltrane house, promote city’s jazz heritage and celebrate music scene

PHILADELPHIA – Jazz lovers and cultural officials in Philadelphia are promoting a fundraising effort to save the run-down John Coltrane House.

Preserving the national historic landmark is part of a broader mission to reclaim the city’s jazz heritage and celebrate the current music scene.

Coltrane is a saxophonist best known for his recording “A Love Supreme.” He lived in a rowhouse in the Strawberry Mansion neighbourhood from 1952 to 1958.

A non-profit organization now owns the property and is working with a preservation group to rehabilitate it. They are seeking $50,000 for immediate repairs and stabilization.

City officials gathered more than 100 local jazz musicians for a photo at the house on Friday.

Philadelphia claims jazz greats including Coltrane, Billie Holiday, Stan Getz, Dizzy Gillespie, McCoy Tyner and Grover Washington Jr.