Save the John Coltrane House!

John Coltrane was one of the most significant composers and musicians of the last 100 years, in any genre of music. Coltrane was a giant.

Any home Coltrane lived in should be treated with respect. Sadly, that has not been the case in Philadelphia, where Coltrane’s 33rd Street home in the Strawberry Mansion neighborhood is not being treated well. It is stuck in endless legal limbo as it is gradually falling apart, and continually facing the threat of demolition.

This is the home in which Coltrane kicked a horrific heroin habit and had a spiritual awakening that would eventually lead to his most spiritually uplifting and challenging music.

The house on 33rd Street is a sacred space.  Devoted Coltrane fans travel from all over the world to see this decaying structure, which ought to be as integral to Philadelphia history as the Liberty Bell.

There is so much that could be done with this house. But, for now, it just sits there.

This is a dire state of affairs, and hopefully something will be done. In the meantime, we can be thankful for the tireless efforts of Faye Anderson, director of All That Philly Jazz. Anderson provided an update on the Coltrane house in today’s Philadelphia Inquirer.

As Anderson writes, “Black history matters.” Damn right it does.

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