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A LOVE SUPREME
by Noel Kaufman; photos by Nicole Grindle
Dire Messa a ritmo di jazz?
PerchÈ no, la musica ha un effetto liberatorio e la gente arriva numerosa. A San Francisco, nella Chiesa di John Coltrane, il celebre jazzista Ë venerato come un vero e proprio messia.
Everyone in the packed room is standing. Some people clap their hands to the beat of the drums. Others sway back and forth tot he sounds of a saxophone.The place is not a bar or a night club, but a house of worship. The event is not a concert, but a typical Sunday service at the Church of John Coltrane., where the music of the late jazz musician inspires the congregation' religious rituals.
The church, located in a small storefront near San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury district, is officially called St. John's African Orthodox Church. Its blend of jazz music and the Gospel attracts people from many different backgrounds-black and white, young and old, the devout and the curious-all of whom come to shar a unique religious experience.
"There is no doubt that God sent John Coltrane as a light to bring others to the knowledge of God and to a closer relationship with Christ," says Sister Mary Deborah, who helps direct the church's Sunday services. "Through the music people are allowed to be a little more free, because music is the universal language. We don't have to speak English or any particular tongue to understand the music. The music being an expression of the human heart and the scriptures telling us to make a joyful noise unto the lord, it's only befitting that the two should come together."
The "Coltrane liturgy" combines a devotion to Coltrane's music with traditional Catholic religious teachings and practices. "A Love Supreme", Coltrane's 1964 award-winning composition which he dedicated to God, is the church's anthem and is played at the beginning of Sunday services. "John Coltrane, in his own life, expressed a belief that his music would help serve the purpose of lifting people spiritually", says Sister Mary Deborah.
Coltrane wrote about his own religious experiences on the record sleeve of the album
A LOVE SUPREME, recorded just three years before his death from concer at the age of 40. "I experienced, by the grace of God, a spiritual awakening which has led 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. I feel this has been granted through His grace. All praise to God".
Although Church Officials frown on taping and photographing during the service, they welcome all the attention. Sister Mary Deborah says that "the music of Saint John Coltrane is good bait". It is something that catches our attention and draws us in". And it is something that most of us have a good relationship with, whereas people don't always have a good relationship with the church". And even though the music is what brings many tot he church, the congregation wants everyone to know that St. John's is a house of God. "We're here to entertain you-not with the music, not with the singing and dance, but with the Gospel of Jesus Christ", says Sister Mary Deborah.
Leading the congregation at St. John's is Bishop Franzo Wayne King, a saxophone player himself, who found religious inspiration in Coltrane's innovative music in the early 1970s. At the time, King formed the One Mind Temple Evolutionary Transitional Body of Christ. The One Mind Temple worshipped Coltrane as God.
In 1982, the One Mind Temple "got its doctrine in order", according to Reverend Mother Marina Lynn, who is Bishop King's wife and the church choir's lead vocalist. That year, the temple was officially recognized by the African Orthodox Church, a part of the Catholic Church. King and various members of his congregation were ordained and John Coltrane was beatified as patron saint.
Since its days as the One Mind Temple, St. John's has done much work in the community. For the past 22 years, the church has run a free meals program for the homeless. Church members have also provided the needy with classed in English and job skills.
As another way to reach out to the community, Sister Mary Deborah hosts a weekly radio program dedicated to the music of John Coltrane and those who inspired him or who have been inspired by him. St. John/s also enters the local community with the musical performances of Ohnedaruth, the church's band that includes two saxophonists, a piano player, a bass player, and a drummer.
But spreading the Coltrane liturgy is not confined to the local scene. Bishop King has traveled throughout the United States, visiting other congregations in the African Orthodox Church. And not long ago church members were invited to France to pay homage to their patron saint at the Antibes jazz festival.
"It's important that people realize that religion isn't all hell and damnation", Sister Mary Deborah says. "There is a reward for commitment and devotion and acting in faith, and that is eternal life. And it isn't a sad life. It's a glorious and joyous life. We experience a little bit of that here on Earth, here at St. John's".
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