I am a jazz musician living in Brooklyn, NY. I was very concerned to hear that John Coltrane's home in Huntington was slated to be destroyed. This would be a great tragedy to all jazz lovers and all Americans,for John Coltrane is one of our national icons. Of course Coltrane wrote his music for all human beings and for the Creator; "A Love Supreme" is a constant inspiration for people all around the world, a piece of artistic genius we all return to. But in particular, we as Americans need to do whatever we can to preserve and spread his message of peace, love, brotherhood and music. This is our esponsibility. Turning his final home into a national monument or museum would be the most appropriate move, and one that would honor his enormous contribution to American culture. I am writing to express my deepest support for such a plan, and my intent to assist in whatever way I can. Speaking if I may for the entire jazz community, I can say that such a monument would create a legacy meaningful to generations of musicians and music lovers, and all those interested in a better world. I am certain that over time it would also bring a legion of musicians and respectful fans from all over the world to Huntington for a visit. Please do all you can to make this plan a reality.

Sincerely,
Aaron Goldberg
pianist
Brooklyn, NY

As a professional Jazz musician, I would like to lend my voice of support to your campaign. John Coltrane created a legacy of music, which has brought much happiness and pleasure to many around the world, and provided an inspiration for many generations of musicians. As someone originally from Europe I came to the USA, because of musicians like Coltrane. The John Coltrane home should be preserved for the sake of American (and World) history and culture.

I fully support your aim: "We would like to see the situation resolved in a way the John Coltrane himself would have wanted it ... peaceful ... fair to the developer ... fair to the community ... and enjoyed by people all over the world." 

I have posted a note on the Yahoo Jazz Guitar discussion Group ( http://www.jazzguitargroup.com ) to help spread the word.

Best Wishes,
Alisdair MacRae Birch
Guitarist/Bassist/Educator/Arranger
http://www.alisdair.com

    The subject Site sited above sounds almost as lyrical as Coltrane's creations that were born there those decades ago. To find that very building located in an area that has embraced Whitman for so long, is to realize how fertile Long Island really is with two distinct icons habitating just a few miles apart. Their particular fields seem at once not related but then totally intertwined with their view of the Human Condition ; one with words, one with music that has enraptured the world over. With continued developement for housing snatching up properties as they do, its a miracle that this site is apparently relatively intact.

Your Town Council will be remembered for protecting a shrine that can only attract jazz affectionados to your area and add another tourist attraction to the cultural maps.

Thank you for your time.                            

Truly Yours,
Daniel Cameron Hornbeck

I just read about the attempt to acquire the John Coltrane site in Dix Hills and wish to offer my support in this endeavor. The preservation of the Dix Hills property, as well as its possible development as a memorial to jazz legend John Coltrane, should be given priority as a project in our town. John Coltrane has had a profound influence on jazz musicians and all artists worldwide--perhaps as noteworthy as that of Louis Armstrong. For the town to be involved in such a project would not only give Hungtington stature worldwide but would serve as a lasting tribute to one of the most important black cultural and musical heroes in American history. Hopefully, this will come to pass. Barney Lessing

As a lover of John Coltranes music I was at first pleasantly surprised to find out that he lived for a short time nearby and then shocked in horror to find the house was ready for demolition. Learning of the homes whereabouts I immediately became curious to have a look. To see the home of the man that made the stirring music I had listened to all my life. To be able to have a connection to the past, to the legend of Coltrane so close to home is compelling. My only hope is that we can achieve landmark status for the home and property thus preserving a wonderful place for future fans to visit. And there will be fans coming for ages because of the landmark, classical jazz music that John Coltrane made.

With you in this,
Frank Coltelli
Bayside,Queens

I was in Dix Hills several weeks ago and passed-by John Coltrane's former home. (I grew up near the home) It's as though time has stood still on the property.

I admire your tenacity and I hope that you win. It is important to preserve history. I am really against any further development in Dix hills-There are enoughhomes and subdivisions.

JeanMarie

My name is Nathan L. Redd and I am a member of Board of Directors of the Louisville Jazz Society. I am also a representative of the University of Louisville Jazz Studies Program, under the direction of Jamey Aebersold. Over the past five years, we have been fortunate to bring in several of Mr. Coltrane's closest companions, including McCoy Tyner and Elvin Jones.

The plight of Mr. Coltrane's home came to my attention from the JazzTimes website. Mr. Coltrane had not only a great musical influence on my life, but his record "A Love Supreme" had a tremendous spiritual influence on me as well. I will be forwarding this information, as well as the Dix Hills website, to many of my contacts. Those contacts include media, educators, jazz administrators, etc. My hope is that this home will truly be saved and one day will be a center of education for many to see. I will continually check back for progress, and hopefully through the forwarding of this information, we can find a suitable benefactor to save this home.

Best wishes, and I applaud you for your efforts.

Nathan L. Redd

Louisville Jazz Society

To members of the Town Council,

There is a house nestled in a heavily wooded lot in Dix Hills that , in the 1960s was home to Jazz legend John Coltrane. It was in this house that he found the seclusion necessary to produce some of his most memorable musical creations , which , when recorded became classics of the Jazz genre. At this time the house has temporarily been saved from demolition, a co-ordinated effort is on to save and restore the property , transforming it into a musuem and cultural center. Please , as people of influence in your community , look into and support this effort.

Thank you.
Gerard Beedenbender

It will be a major accomplishment if we can get Trane's home preserved. He is the musician who has affected me the most. Indeed, Trane is an international icon, and a symbol of an artist who possessed dynamism in his creations.. And we on Long Island need a memorial of Coltrane's stay here.

In the early seventies, when I lived in St. Albans, Queens I used to pass his home on Mexico Street several times a week. When I visited Philadelphia many years ago I went to the home he shared with Cousin Mary. At that time, that home was touted in tourist brochures as a museum, but there was a problem Cousin Mary had with local officials and it was not open to the public as a museum.

Long Island, geographically, was the home of many jazz musicians, and we need to honor the memory and contributions of one of the greatest -- John Coltrane. There is no better way to do this but to preserve his home.

E. Smith

Hello – as a Coltrane fan, and having been born and raised in Huntington I would like to be kept informed on this situation. I just read about it in the Long Islander. Thanks, I really wish I could just buy it!

Erik Whitton

Spectrum Enterprises