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Mirror February 1994
Amen: Local Church Finds Religion in a Jazz Legend
by Lan Hang
Senior, Prospect High School
Not surprisingly, the service at St. John's African Orthodox Church in San Francisco is a bit jazzier than most other church functions. This assumption is based largely on the fact that St. John's patron saint happens to be jazz legend John Coltrane.
"St. John's combines the old African hymns with the music of John Coltrane," explained Sister Mary Deborah Williams, who has been with the church since its inception in 1971. But Saint John Coltrane? "His music," Williams answered, "is instrumental in propagating the gospel of Jesus Christ."
Most teenagers feel they would be better served to sleep in bed than on a wooden bench at church. However, St. John's is a whole different story. The church is like a jazz club and a bible study flung together, with much hand clapping and shouting thrown into the mix.
Best known for his powerful and gritty playing style on the tenor saxophone during the '50's and '60s, Coltrane had a dramatic impact on jazz history.
According to Mark C. Gridley, author of "Jazz Styles: History and Analysis," Coltrane's music was "rough-textured and biting, huge and dark."
Although many members of St. John's are fans of his music, church members stress the church chose Coltrane as its patron saint because of his spirituality. "The dedicated triumph of John Coltrane's life over many obstacles and his music...inspired us to organize this community," said Bishop F.W. King, founder of the church.
In honor of the musician, St. John's has an observance committee that makes sure radio stations play his music. Their greatest success has come in the form of KPOO 89.5 FM's daily four hour homage to Coltrane between noon and four o'clock on weekdays.
"The eyes of America," said Sister Williams, "have opened up to the music of John Coltrane. (His music) has become an American art form." The renowned Berkeley School of Music offers a course in Coltrane's playing techniques called "multiphonics."
The St. John's choir sings prayers and hymns set to Coltrane's music. His songs, ranging from "Meditations" to "A Love Supreme," are performed during the service. Two bass guitars, a bass, tambourines, a tenor and alto saxophone, and drums accompany the singer. At times, the service sounds like a jam session as each musician improvises in the same styles that Coltrane made famous in the '50s.
Services begin at 11:45 a.m. and have the potential to last as long as four hours. Icons of the patron saint decorate the otherwise ordinary room. Worshippers fill all of the pews and line the walls of the cramped church.
"They say Sunday morning is the most segregated time in America," Bishop King commented before beginning his sermon. "But I am proud to say that it isn't true here at St. John's African Orthodox Church."
St. John's is located at 351 Divisadero Street in San Francisco. |
