Martin Luther King’s Vision, Coltrane’s Prayer, Our Purpose
What does it mean to live without fear? Not the absence of anxiety or the suppression of natural human caution, but something deeper—a spiritual freedom so complete that even death loses its sting. Most of us spend our lives building walls against uncertainty, hedging our bets, playing it safe. But what if the very purpose of our existence requires us to step beyond those walls, to risk everything for something we can barely articulate?
Celebrating John Coltrane: A Musical and Spiritual Journey
By Donnie Yance John Coltrane (1926-1967) was not just a jazz saxophonist; he was a musical pioneer, a spiritual seeker, and an inspiration to countless musicians and listeners. As someone who has immersed myself in his entire discography and studied numerous books about his life, I feel compelled to share the profound impact Coltrane has […]
Martin Luther King: Exploring Space, the Soul, and Our Divine Purpose – A Timeless Perspective
In this exploration of the life and teachings of Martin Luther King Jr., (MLK) we delve into his profound insights on humanity’s place in the universe, our spiritual journey, and how we can find a sense of divine purpose. Drawing from his speeches and writings, we uncover the lesser-known aspects of Dr. King’s wisdom that transcend […]
The Healing and Unifying Power of Music
Let the godly sing for joy to the Lord; it is fitting for the pure to praise him.Praise the Lord with melodies on the lyre; make music for him on the ten-stringed harp.Sing a new song of praise to him; play skillfully on the harp, and sing with joy. Psalm 33: 1-3 Jazz as a Path to the Creator John Coltrane’s […]
Living with Passion and Purpose: Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King and John Coltrane
On January 16th, 2017, MLK (Martin Luther King) day, the ten-piece band I play in, “Souliverse” (Souliverse.com), will be celebrating and performing at a mid-day event at the historic Ashland Armory in downtown Ashland, Oregon. If you’re in the area, please join us for this celebration. (Souliverse just released a live DVD/CD from the Mederi […]
Celebrating John Coltrane
In 1964, John Coltrane, often referred to as just “Trane,” revealed to the world his concept of spirituality in the form of what would soon be a world-renowned recording, “A Love Supreme.” Coltrane’s unique concept fused music and theology; he looked deep within himself, around himself, and to the heavens and the mystery of faith […]
Remembering John Coltrane
John Coltrane (1926-1967)—saxophonist, composer, and iconic figure—is to me a saint. He has inspired me in my music and my life, and has meant so much to me that we named our son Coltrane. September 23rd is the anniversary of John Coltrane’s birth. In his honor, I want to share with you what has made […]
Finding God In Music
One of my favorite musicians is the great jazz saxophonist John Coltrane. It’s not only his consummate skill as a musician that inspires me, but the way that he finds and expresses God through his music. One evening, as Coltrane performed one of his most well known pieces—“A Love Supreme”, he ascended to new heights […]