Coltrane’s magnum opus, breathtakingly brought to life by four dancers

(JOHN) COLTRANE 100: A TRIBUTE TO ONE OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL JAZZ INNOVATORS

AB, Bozar and Kaaitheater join forces to present a unique tribute to John Coltrane: one of the most influential innovators in the history of jazz. Coltrane sculpted an entirely inimitable signature sound with his saxophone (a Belgian invention by Adolphe Sax).

His rich oeuvre is now considered a sacred legacy: “Many artists achieve greatness but very few produce work that is so moving that it’s considered sacred.” To mark Coltrane’s 100th birthday, in 2026 we honour his legacy with a series of dance performances, concerts, screenings and artist talks.

JOHN COLTRANE - A LOVE SUPREME (IMPULSE! A-77, 1965): TRANE’S MAGNUM OPUS

A Love Supreme is without doubt Coltrane’s magnum opus, it has had as much impact as, say, Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp A Butterfly, Beyoncé’s Lemonade or the debut by The Velvet Underground & Nico. Coltrane considered this album – conceived as a four-part suite - a gift to God: “This album is a humble offering to Him. An attempt to say ‘THANK YOU GOD” through our work.”

The album forms the cornerstone of spiritual jazz and was recorded in 1964 with his legendary Classic Quartet (with drummer Elvin Jones, pianist McCoy Tyner and bassist Jimmy Garrison) during one(!) afternoon session. In the liner notes of A Love Supreme, Coltrane described in detail how he sees his music as a medium. “During the year 1957, I experienced, by the grace of God, a spiritual awakening which was to lead me to a richer, fuller, more productive life. At that time, in gratitude, I humbly asked to be given the means and privilege to make others happy through music. ALL PRAISE TO GOD.”

It’s no coincidence that there is actually a Saint John Coltrane African Orthodox Church in San Francisco, where ‘Trane’ has been venerated as a saint since 1971.

A LOVE SUPREME - SALVA SANCHIS, ANNE TERESA DE KEERSMAEKER / ROSAS

“A spiritual apotheosis.” (De Standaard)

“**** - Pure delight for the eye and the heart.” (De Morgen)

“John Coltrane’s classic translated into a dance gem.” (Village Voice)

“The dancers demonstrate their virtuosity in the solos: quick, precise, surprising movements of a hand, an arm or a nod of the head develop into grand, flowing dance parts that visualise Coltrane’s complex soundlines in a breathtakingly clear manner.” (Focus Knack)

A Love Supreme is a quartet created by Salva Sanchis (ES/BE) and Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker (BE) based on John Coltrane’s album of the same name. This collaboration, which began in 2005, is a meeting of two choreographers who find common ground in their shared fascination for this iconic music.

In A Love Supreme, Coltrane and his musicians establish – on the basis of a simple underlying structure – a complete and absolute freedom of improvisation, relentlessly expanding boundaries. This translates literally into the dance: for this performance, the choreographers take on the challenge of interweaving improvisation and composition into a single seamless whole.

For this new version, Sanchis and De Keersmaeker reworked their choreography from 2005 for four young male dancers. Live, with their distinctly energetic interpretation, they emphasise the vitality of Coltrane’s ode to the divine. This performance is being reprised at the express request of AB and as part of (JOHN) COLTRANE 100.

Choreography
Salva Sanchis, Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker

Performed by
José Paulo dos Santos, Bilal El Had / Robin Haghi (in turn/alternating), Jason Respilieux, Thomas Vantuycom

Original version created with and performed by
Cynthia Loemij, Moya Michael, Salva Sanchis, Igor Shyshko

Music
A Love Supreme, John Coltrane

Recording
tenor saxophone, vocals: John Coltrane
piano: McCoy Tyner
bass: Jimmy Garrison
drums: Elvin Jones
Acknowledgement, Resolution, Pursuance & Psalm © Coltrane, J., © Jowcol Music, Inc. (Universal Music Publ.)

Lighting design
Jan Versweyveld

Lighting adaptation
Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker, Luc Schaltin

Costumes
Anne-Catherine Kunz

Rehearsal direction
Bilal El Had / Robin Haghi (in turn/alternating)

Production
Rosas