Isaiah Collier emerged from Chicago’s vibrant music scene as a saxophonist, composer, and organiser with a strong sense of purpose. His work moves fluidly between spiritual jazz, contemporary composition, and community-driven practice. Whether leading his own ensemble The Chosen Few or collaborating with others, Collier approaches music as a space for connection, reflection, and forward motion. His sound is expansive and physical. On saxophone, phrases can unfold with urgency or restraint, often grounded in repetition and gradual transformation. The influence of jazz history is clearly present, but never fixed. Instead, Collier treats tradition as something to engage with actively, asking what it can mean in the present. At Jazz Middelheim, Collier and his band The Chosen Few will bring a special tribute to John Coltrane. This homage connects directly to his album Cosmic Transitions, recorded at Rudy Van Gelder’s studio on Coltrane’s birthday, using the same analogue equipment once used for A Love Supreme. The gesture is less about recreation than alignment: with Coltrane’s spiritual drive, his search for freedom, and his belief in music as a transformative force. Live, Collier’s performances feel immersive and focused. Themes are allowed to stretch, rhythms gather momentum, and collective energy builds over time. His tribute does not look backwards, but places Coltrane’s legacy firmly in the present moment.

This concert will be filmed for Mezzo and medici.tv