John Coltrane live album ‘Tiberi Tapes’ set for 100th birthday celebration release
The Tiberi Tapes, a coveted set of live recordings by John Coltrane that have long been in a private collection, will be released for the first time in celebration of the musician’s 100th birthday.
The tapes were recorded across several jazz clubs in New York and Philadelphia between 1961 and 1965 by saxophonist Frank Tiberi, hence the name.
Tiberi followed Coltrane around with a portable tape recorder, in an attempt to document the evolving sound of his music, which often included the musicians Steve Davis and Pete LaRoca. They have never been heard by the general public.
However, in celebration of Coltrane’s upcoming 100th birthday on September 26th, the set live recordings will land on Impulse! as a Record Store Day exclusive on April 18th; the Tiberi Tapes will also enjoy a wider release in Coltrane’s birthday month.
Coltrane passed away on July 17th, 1967, at the age of 40. He died from liver cancer at Huntington Hospital on Long Island, New York.
In celebration of the upcoming centennial, Impulse! has also shared a brand new video for ‘Acknowledgement’, the opening track on the 1965 album, A Love Supreme.
AG Rojas and Kamasi Washington collaborated on the project, which depicts a faithful recreation of Jersey’s Van Gelder Studios on the day A Love Supreme was recorded there in an effort to take the viewer back in time.
There will be a wider programme roll-out in celebration of Coltrane later this year. Titled ‘Coltrane 100’, the programme will include reissues of classics like Ascension, Africa/Brass and Impressions; a new best-of compilation from his 1957 and 1958 sessions; and a sound installation overseen by hi-fi specialist Devon Cooper at New York’s Cooper Hewitt.
Fans can hear the music live, too: On September 23rd, the Coltrane 100: Legacy show at the Hollywood Bowl will feature orchestral adaptations of his works.
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