The Olatunji Concert: The Last Live Recording is the Impulse! Records-released final live recording of saxophonist John Coltrane, recorded April 23, 1967, at the Olatunji Center of African Culture in New York and released on Compact Disc in 2001. The album consists of two songs—”Ogunde”, which Coltrane also recorded for his final approved album, Expression, and an especially free-form “My Favorite Things”, which Coltrane had performed live regularly since 1960. The recording was made for broadcast on Billy Taylor’s local radio station, WLIB. The Olatunji Concert was not Coltrane’s last show, but rather, his penultimate—he would play once more on May 7, 1967, in Baltimore.
Coltrane had known Nigerian drummer Babatunde Olatunji since 1961, during which his band played opposite Olatunji’s at the Village Gate, alternating with Art Blakey’s group. Coltrane had studied Olatunji’s recordings, and wrote the tune “Tunji,” which appeared on the 1962 album Coltrane, in his honor. In 1966, Olatunji and his wife established the Olatunji Center of African Culture at 43 East 125th Street in Harlem, New York City, dedicated to “providing low cost classes in a wide range of cultural subjects to adults and children.” Coltrane had provided financial support for the center while it was being built, and would continue to write checks to help cover its operating expenses. In July 1966, Coltrane “asked if he, Yusef Lateef, and Olatunji could form an organization to put on concerts, both at the Olatunji Center and at bigger venues.” Olatunji also recalled that he offered to take Coltrane to Nigeria: “He said, ‘When?’ and I suggested the following year. He said ‘God willing, I will.'”..read more.
Artists
Album Data
Released: September 2001
Recorded: April 1967
Record Label: Impulse! Records
Location Recorded: Olatunji Center of African Culture, New York City
Producer: Bryan Koniarz
Album Length: 63 min / 38 sec
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