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Branford Marsalis Quartet and Dianne Reeves Release Coltrane Tribute Album Dedicated To You
With the world’s attention turning to the legendary saxophonist John Coltrane on the occasion of his 100th birthday, Branford Marsalis and vocalist Dianne Reeves have joined forces to honor the late giant with a full‑length tribute. Titled Dedicated To You, the album will arrive on Blue Note Records’ storied catalog on 18 September 2026, the exact year that marks a century since Coltrane’s birth. The project brings together Marsalis’s seasoned quartet—pianist Joey Calderazzo, bassist Eric Revis and drummer Justin Faulkner—alongside Reeves’s soaring voice, creating a dialogue that spans generations of jazz.
The release is part of a larger “Coltrane 100” celebration orchestrated by the Coltrane Estate. Over the course of 2026, the Estate has lined up a year‑long program that features live concerts, rare archival recordings and special events aimed at keeping Coltrane’s legacy alive for new audiences. “John Coltrane, in his genius, developed a parallel sonic and intellectual understanding of ecumenical, 40s swing, and early R&B and post‑bop, to create a sound that, while intellectually challenging, is emotionally stimulating,” Marsalis said in a press statement. “His embodiment of all these sides of music is what any musician – of any style – should strive to achieve. It was our privilege to honor his contributions to jazz. We hope to have done justice to his ideals.”
When asked why the tribute focuses on Coltrane’s vocal repertoire, Marsalis explained that he wanted to chart a “road less traveled.” He added that after weighing options, he settled on Reeves because of her “magic sound” and the emotional depth she brings to each phrase. “I thought it was a great idea, but I wanted to take a road less traveled,” he said.
Reeves echoed the sentiment, noting how the recording process fostered a sense of shared creation. “Listening to all the great singers coming up, I learned that they stood in the band, not in front of the band. They saw themselves as co‑creators of the sound.” She added that the members of Branford’s quartet and I all speak the same language, and we all came up with ideas. Critics have described the collaboration as a meeting of musicians who share a common musical language.
The first single, “They Say It’s Wonderful,” was dropped alongside a global tour that will kick off on 5 September in Willemstad, Curaçao. From there, the tour will travel through 2027, with stops announced across the United States, Europe and the Caribbean, offering fans a live experience that complements the album’s studio depth.
Blue Note Records, founded in 1939, has long been a bastion of modern jazz. Its catalog boasts seminal hard‑bop and post‑bop recordings, and the label has recently added artists such as GoGo Penguin to its roster. The addition of Dedicated To You continues Blue Note’s tradition of championing innovative projects that push the boundaries of the genre.
Marsalis, born in 1960, has led the Branford Marsalis Quartet since the 1990s and has performed with a range of classical and jazz ensembles. Reeves, born in 1956, is a five‑time Grammy‑winning vocalist whose work spans jazz and gospel. Their partnership bridges two generations of jazz musicians, each bringing a distinct voice to the shared homage.
The album’s release dovetails with the Estate’s centennial initiatives, which include a series of concerts and educational programs in New York and Philadelphia. These efforts aim to highlight Coltrane’s enduring influence on jazz and contemporary music alike.
In short, Dedicated To You marries Marsalis’s saxophone mastery with Reeves’s vocal artistry, underpinned by a seasoned quartet. The September 18 release and accompanying tour offer listeners a comprehensive exploration of Coltrane’s legacy, underscoring the music’s continued relevance and the vitality of jazz in the 21st century.
The release is part of a larger “Coltrane 100” celebration orchestrated by the Coltrane Estate. Over the course of 2026, the Estate has lined up a year‑long program that features live concerts, rare archival recordings and special events aimed at keeping Coltrane’s legacy alive for new audiences. “John Coltrane, in his genius, developed a parallel sonic and intellectual understanding of ecumenical, 40s swing, and early R&B and post‑bop, to create a sound that, while intellectually challenging, is emotionally stimulating,” Marsalis said in a press statement. “His embodiment of all these sides of music is what any musician – of any style – should strive to achieve. It was our privilege to honor his contributions to jazz. We hope to have done justice to his ideals.”
When asked why the tribute focuses on Coltrane’s vocal repertoire, Marsalis explained that he wanted to chart a “road less traveled.” He added that after weighing options, he settled on Reeves because of her “magic sound” and the emotional depth she brings to each phrase. “I thought it was a great idea, but I wanted to take a road less traveled,” he said.
Reeves echoed the sentiment, noting how the recording process fostered a sense of shared creation. “Listening to all the great singers coming up, I learned that they stood in the band, not in front of the band. They saw themselves as co‑creators of the sound.” She added that the members of Branford’s quartet and I all speak the same language, and we all came up with ideas. Critics have described the collaboration as a meeting of musicians who share a common musical language.
The first single, “They Say It’s Wonderful,” was dropped alongside a global tour that will kick off on 5 September in Willemstad, Curaçao. From there, the tour will travel through 2027, with stops announced across the United States, Europe and the Caribbean, offering fans a live experience that complements the album’s studio depth.
Blue Note Records, founded in 1939, has long been a bastion of modern jazz. Its catalog boasts seminal hard‑bop and post‑bop recordings, and the label has recently added artists such as GoGo Penguin to its roster. The addition of Dedicated To You continues Blue Note’s tradition of championing innovative projects that push the boundaries of the genre.
Marsalis, born in 1960, has led the Branford Marsalis Quartet since the 1990s and has performed with a range of classical and jazz ensembles. Reeves, born in 1956, is a five‑time Grammy‑winning vocalist whose work spans jazz and gospel. Their partnership bridges two generations of jazz musicians, each bringing a distinct voice to the shared homage.
The album’s release dovetails with the Estate’s centennial initiatives, which include a series of concerts and educational programs in New York and Philadelphia. These efforts aim to highlight Coltrane’s enduring influence on jazz and contemporary music alike.
In short, Dedicated To You marries Marsalis’s saxophone mastery with Reeves’s vocal artistry, underpinned by a seasoned quartet. The September 18 release and accompanying tour offer listeners a comprehensive exploration of Coltrane’s legacy, underscoring the music’s continued relevance and the vitality of jazz in the 21st century.
