Coltrane Sax Donated to Smithsonian

A tenor saxaphone owned by John Coltrane, who once lived in Dix Hills, is now part of the Smithsonian jazz collection.

The saxaphone – a Mark VI tenor crafted Henri Selmer Paris – was donated on Wednesday by Coltrane’s son, Ravi, also a jazz musician, Smithsonian.com reported.

“Every time I open the case to look at the saxophone, I get goosebumps,” said John Edward Hasse, the museum’s curator of American music, at the donation ceremony, according to Smithsonian.com. 

The legendary jazz musician lived in a brick house at 247 Candlewood Path in Dix Hills with his wife Alice, and son Ravi. It was in this home, now a Huntington landmark, where he composed "A Love Supreme." John Coltrane called Dix Hills home until his death in 1967.

Ravi Coltrane’s donation coincides with the 50th anniversary of his father’s “A Love Supreme,” as well as the museum’s 13th annual Jazz Appreciation Month.  

On display at the Smithsonian are photographs donated by Chuck Stewart of the "A Love Supreme" recording session in 1964. In addition, Coltrane’s original score of "A Love Supreme" will be on display in the “American Stories” exhibition through June 17.

Experience “A Love Supreme” on YouTube.