About "Friends of John Coltrane"
The Friends of John Coltrane, Inc. officially formed
during the summer of 2009. The committee is an
outgrowth of the individuals who worked for several
years to raise funds to commission the John Coltrane
statue that was erected in 2006 along with a kiosk in
2008. In 2009 the group decided to work towards the
creation of an annual International John Coltrane Jazz
and Blues Festival. At that point, it was decided to file to
become a 501(c)3 and begin staging events to raise
money and awareness. In August 2010, the IRS
recognized our organization as a 501(c)3.
Click here to view our 2010 990 Tax Return.
Visit the Events page for upcoming events.
History of the John Coltrane Statue in
Downtown High Point
A statue honoring one of High Point's most
acclaimed citizens has a permanent home in
downtown High Point. The statue honors jazz
musician John Coltrane. Known internationally for his
unique genre and style, Coltrane was raised on
Underhill Street in High Point and attended William
Penn High School. In order to properly recognize
such a significant citizen of High Point, the Downtown
Improvement Committee, with assistance from the
High Point Museum, began working on the John
Coltrane Statue project in 2004. A committee of
interested citizens, including Joanna Easter,
Councilwoman Bernita Sims, then President of the
High Point Museum Barbara Taylor, Lisa Shankle, Aaron
Clinard, Commissioner Bruce Davis and Karen Odom
met on a regular basis to promote this concept and
raise funds to ensure the installation of the statue.
Thomas Jay Warren, once a resident of the North
Carolina mountains and now of Oregon, was
commissioned to sculpt the eight foot tall bronze
likeness of Coltrane. The statue is located in the
northeast corner of City Hall property at the intersection
of Commerce Avenue and Hamilton Street. The statue
has received rave reviews from all who see it.
Coltrane Statue Under Construction by
sculptor Jay Warren
Funding for the John Coltrane statue came through
grants from the Downtown Improvement Committee,
the High Point Convention and Visitors Bureau, the
High Point Museum, the City of High Point, the
Guilford County Board of Commissioners and the
High Point Community Foundation, as well as private
donations. A series of jazz evenings and the sale of
bricks for Coltrane Plaza contributed to the funding.
(Bricks are still available, See Support Us page)
On September 20, 2006 the statue was dedicated in
honor of Coltrane’s 80th birthday. Included during
the unveiling was a reading from noted musician
Carlos Santana who shared how much Coltrane has
influenced his own music.
The committee continued meeting and in Spring
2009, installed a kiosk that not only gives the
background history on John Coltrane’s life in High
Point, but also shares with the public aspects of his
music, both in word and sound.
during the summer of 2009. The committee is an
outgrowth of the individuals who worked for several
years to raise funds to commission the John Coltrane
statue that was erected in 2006 along with a kiosk in
2008. In 2009 the group decided to work towards the
creation of an annual International John Coltrane Jazz
and Blues Festival. At that point, it was decided to file to
become a 501(c)3 and begin staging events to raise
money and awareness. In August 2010, the IRS
recognized our organization as a 501(c)3.
Click here to view our 2010 990 Tax Return.
Visit the Events page for upcoming events.
History of the John Coltrane Statue in
Downtown High Point
A statue honoring one of High Point's most
acclaimed citizens has a permanent home in
downtown High Point. The statue honors jazz
musician John Coltrane. Known internationally for his
unique genre and style, Coltrane was raised on
Underhill Street in High Point and attended William
Penn High School. In order to properly recognize
such a significant citizen of High Point, the Downtown
Improvement Committee, with assistance from the
High Point Museum, began working on the John
Coltrane Statue project in 2004. A committee of
interested citizens, including Joanna Easter,
Councilwoman Bernita Sims, then President of the
High Point Museum Barbara Taylor, Lisa Shankle, Aaron
Clinard, Commissioner Bruce Davis and Karen Odom
met on a regular basis to promote this concept and
raise funds to ensure the installation of the statue.
Thomas Jay Warren, once a resident of the North
Carolina mountains and now of Oregon, was
commissioned to sculpt the eight foot tall bronze
likeness of Coltrane. The statue is located in the
northeast corner of City Hall property at the intersection
of Commerce Avenue and Hamilton Street. The statue
has received rave reviews from all who see it.
Coltrane Statue Under Construction by
sculptor Jay Warren
Funding for the John Coltrane statue came through
grants from the Downtown Improvement Committee,
the High Point Convention and Visitors Bureau, the
High Point Museum, the City of High Point, the
Guilford County Board of Commissioners and the
High Point Community Foundation, as well as private
donations. A series of jazz evenings and the sale of
bricks for Coltrane Plaza contributed to the funding.
(Bricks are still available, See Support Us page)
On September 20, 2006 the statue was dedicated in
honor of Coltrane’s 80th birthday. Included during
the unveiling was a reading from noted musician
Carlos Santana who shared how much Coltrane has
influenced his own music.
The committee continued meeting and in Spring
2009, installed a kiosk that not only gives the
background history on John Coltrane’s life in High
Point, but also shares with the public aspects of his
music, both in word and sound.
| (c)2010 Friends of John Coltrane |
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| Artist working on the head of the John Coltrane Statue. |
| Coltrane statue under construction by sculptor Jay Warren. |
| John Coltrane Statue Unveiling Ceremony. |
| Artist is putting some final touches on the John Coltrane Statue. |
| Jay Warren working on creating the John Coltrane Statue. |
| Close up of head of John Coltrane. |