(1937 – 2007)

“…Sometimes people put themselves so deeply into sound – so deep into it that they give up everything. It’s like they renounce everything at that moment just to live those moments of music…” 

Alice Coltrane Turiyasangitananda was an American jazz pianist, organist, harpist, singer, composer, swamini, born in Detroit, Michigan in 1937 and the wife of John Coltrane. Turiyasangitananda translates as the Transcendental Lord’s highest song of Bliss. 

Alice’s interest in gospel, classical, and jazz music led to the creation of her own innovative style. Her talents expressed more fully when she became a solo recording artist. Her proficiency on keyboard, organ, and harp was remarkable. Later her natural musical artistry matured into amazing arrangements and compositions. Her twenty recordings cover a time span from Monastic Trio (1968) to Translinear Light (2004).

Alice and John Coltrane married in 1965. Together they embarked on a deeply spiritual journey of musical exploration and forged a new genre of musical expression. 

Around the late 60’s, Alice entered into a most significant time in her life. As a seeker of spiritual truth, she spent focused time in isolation — fasting, praying, and meditating. In 1970 she met a guru, Swami Satchidananda. She traveled to India, and was divinely called into God’s service. Alice dedicated her life to God and came to be known as Turiyasangitananda.

Alice is the grand auntie of  Los Angeles producer Flying Lotus.  She encouraged and supported him early in his career. Alice’s Ashram in the Santa Monica mountains burnt down in 2018 in the Woolsey Fire but she celebrated every year by a growing number of devotees.