West Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

John W. Coltrane

(1926-1967)

Photographed By Don Morfe, April 14, 2015

1. John W. Coltrane Marker

Inscription. A pioneering African-American jazz musician, composer, saxophonist. Coltrane used African and Indian elements to create a distinctive style which at first shocked audiences but ultimately gained wide acceptance. He lived here, 1952-1958.

Erected 1990 by Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission series list.

Location. 39° 58.818′ N, 75° 11.327′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in West Philadelphia. Marker is on N. 33rd Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1511 N 33rd Street, Philadelphia PA 19121, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Strawberry Mansion (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Cowboy (approx. 0.3 miles away); Connecting Railroad Bridge (approx. 0.3 miles away); Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse (approx. 0.4 miles away); Girard Avenue Bridge (approx. 0.4 miles away); Sleeping Woman (approx. 0.4 miles away); North Terrace

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(approx. 0.4 miles away); James A. Garfield Monument (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.

Also see . . .
1. John Coltrane Discography - Wikipedia. (Submitted on April 19, 2015, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)
2. John W. Coltrane ~ Wikipedia. (Submitted on July 23, 2018, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania.)

Additional commentary.
1. John William Coltrane:
John W. Coltrane was a groundbreaking American jazz saxophonist and composer, from Philadelphia. He worked in both the bebop and hard bop idioms early in his music career. He helped pioneer the use of modes and was later at the forefront of the free jazz movement. Coltrane led at least fifty recording sessions, and appeared on many albums by other musicians, including trumpeter Miles Davis and pianist Thelonious Monk. Over the course of his career, Coltrane's music took on an increasingly spiritual dimension. Coltrane remains one of the most influential saxophonists in music history.

— Submitted July 23, 2018, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania.

John W. Coltrane Residence image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Don Morfe, April 14, 2015

2. John W. Coltrane Residence

John W. Coltrane arriving at Schiphol Airport (Amsterdam) image. Click for full size.

Photo courtesy of the Dutch National Archives, October 26, 1963

3. John W. Coltrane arriving at Schiphol Airport (Amsterdam)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 18, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 529 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 18, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 3. submitted on July 23, 2018, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.