This is an interview conducted by Jazz Colours for the December 2009 online magazine.

1. Rhonda Henry
A Supreme Love for Trane
di Marco Maimeri
Ha scoperto di abitare vicino alla casa di John Coltrane
e da allora non ha più smesso di approfondirne la conoscenza.
In pittura cerca di trasporne la simmetria e la verità della musica,
ma anche il senso di improvvisazione libera
e ribaltamento della melodia che caratterizzò la fase più free
della sua carriera artistica
How did the passion for painting originate and John's music is wonderfully visual and as an artist I
which artistic education did you have? try and paint what I hear in his music.
When I was 3 years old and realized that a crayon Which period of his life and his career do you like
and a wall held unlimited possibilities. A blank space most? Aesthetically and musically do you prefer the
was always crying out to me. I have an Associates phase in which Trane played wonderful songs such as
Degree in Commercial Art and design, and I have “In A Sentimental Mood” and realized highly spiritual
been a working as a graphic artist for over 15 years. albums like “A Love Supreme” or do you also appreci-
ate the period in which he became an experimental
How did you discover John Coltrane ?
and sophisticated musician of avant-garde free-jazz?
I met a wonderful friend from Philadelphia that upon
finding out where I lived immediately began asking I find that I am drawn to his more sensual and moving
me about John Coltrane. He could not believe that ballads. I always sense a searching in this music. Some of
someone who grew up in the hometown of John my paintings indeed reflect this, such as “Dear Lord” and
Coltrane did not know much about him. He bought “Resolution” But his later phase when he was attacking
.
me my first Coltrane CD entitled, Coltrane for Lovers. the free improvisation and the melodic kind of strum-
ming effect on a chord; rolling it lightly and then turning
As he spoke of Trane, I began to feel a strong desire to it over is closer to how I paint or want to paint. I am glad
know more about him. The more I heard the more I that I was introduced to this music before I received one
wanted to hear. Then it became as natural as breath- of his more avant garde CDS. I also believe his earlier
ing. We are both from High Point, North Carolina. Both music is a great way to introduce neophytes to a more
African American. Both raised to love God and accessible John Coltrane.
embrace truth.
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2. How did John Coltrane music inspired your way of
painting?
His lifelong search for growth, truth and expression is
what most artists aspire to. He admired honestly the
skills and styles of others, and enjoyed fusing their style
with his own. He was not committed to one style or one
sound, but embraced it all. His improvisational style has
freed me and allowed me to experiment with styles as
he did with notes. I would find comfort in “A Love
Supreme” but I know I have to get out of my comfort
zone and allow “Ascension” and “Interstellar Space” take
me where it took Coltrane, but at the same time try to
keep the paint on the canvas.
When you create a painting, I suppose that you
listen to music of John Coltrane. What sensations
do you feel when painting art works inspired to
John Coltrane listening to his music?
As if John was in the room talking to me. I turn to
McCoy and ask him if he would like some tea. We tell
bawdy stories about Miles and wonder if he will ever
get his stuff together and what an ass he can be. We
get annoyed with Elvin Jones constantly pounding
on the furniture. I'm always asking Jimmy Harrison
what really are "your favorite things?" And we laugh,
sharing an inside joke. In short, when I paint Coltrane,
I'm just another "guy" in the band. Most times, I feel
he and God are in the studio with me, and his sound I try to capture his emotion. What he was feeling
is tapping out paint on the canvas. Usually “I” am or thinking. And because he wasn’t a very verbal
removed only to come back when the music has individual, I still believe he had strong opinions,
ended and the painting is finished. whether political or spiritual. I believe he dealt
with issues of his era, including civil rights. The
When you start a painting inspired to John Coltrane,
what do you try to capture and convey about his extraor- painting entitled, “Alabama” is of course based
dinary human and musical personality? on the same titled Coltrane song. That song
expresses his deep pain related to the Birming-
ham bombing. The softness of this classic piece,
reminded me of the innocence of the little girls
and how this country had lost his innocence
which in turn led me to paint “Alabama” I just
.
feel like I need to express what I believe
Coltrane would think or feel about today’s
events. And by expressing it with paint, I believe
I can somehow bring a light to someone’s soul.
What do you think that John Coltrane has left to
those who still today appreciate him and his
universal music?
I believe musicians who play from within their
souls, understand and love the music and passion
of Coltrane. They study him and envelope them-
selves into his sounds. His breath. I have spoken to
people whose parents played his music religiously
and they themselves became fans. I have seen
expressions on people, who will simply close their
eyes and hum a few notes as if taking to a far off
place, What he left musically is genius,
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3. The best way to describe what I believe Coltrane
left spiritually was a conversation with God thru
music. Almost as if he was “speaking in tongues” .
Sometimes not understood by the average
listener but only understood by God.
What do you think that he can pass on and
hand down to new generations?
New generations will not only appreciate his
boldness and freedom, but also his control and
skill. They will learn of his passions and demons
and how he overcame them. They will admire his
desire to take something you love and never lay it
down. They will appreciate his desire to know why
he even existed and how to make that existence
worthwhile. They will also come to understand his
love for all people and all religions and how much
we can learn from each other. They will see that
there is more to what you see. There are hidden
things and mystical things that influence us. And
finally, they will understand as Coltrane put it, “all
roads lead to God” .
How did the idea of dedicating an entire book to John Coltrane and your art works inspired by him
originate?
It began with a journal of my journey to find Coltrane. As I kept the journal, I found that the hometown that
produced such a remarkable man and musician, failed in recognizing him in his own home. There were not a
lot of reminders in High Point of Coltrane. When he left he never came back. Why? I wanted to find Coltrane and
I want to bring him home. Each painting inspired by Coltrane has an amazing story that led to its production.
Even now, I do not remember starting nor finishing certain paintings. The book is going slowly, but lovingly. I
have taken my time with the book because there is always something revealed to me that I feel I must include.
However I plan to have it finished by early 2010. I just want others, especially my hometown, to know him and
to see him visually. I want people to know you can find God anywhere. In music, in a bar, on the streets, and in a
painting.
PAINTINGS
In the first page, up:
The artist in “Rhen” self-
,
portrait (2008), oil on canvas;
low: “Dear Lord” (2007), oil
on canvas.
2nd Page, up: “Like Sonny”
(2006), oil on canvas;
low:
“Live at Carnegie Hall”
(2009), oil on canvas.
This page, up: “God
Breathes” (2006), oil on
canvas:
“God's Voice” (2006), oil on
canvas.
For further information
www.rhenart.com
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