Writer/Photos: Rudy Lu

Ohnedaruth is a Sanskrit word meaning compassion. It is the title of Craig Harris’ 2022 composition dedicated to John Coltrane, who took this as his spiritual name during the latter part of his life. This performance was at the Gallery at 107 Henry St. Gallery curated by Transart Inc., a not for profit dedicated to preserving and advancing the art of African diaspora in the Hudson Valley.

The piece is a 7 movement suite of which 6 were played.

The 1st movement opened with Mala playing spiritual chords and phrases that have influences from Indian, African and other forms of world music that were pioneered by Alice Coltrane and McCoy Tyner. Craig Harris opened the heavens with his trombone acting as a fanfare. Christopher Dean Sullivan and Baba Neil Clarke functioned as a floating rhythm section, helping the music and our minds ebb and flow. All parts of their instruments were played whether they be struck, plucked or strummed. This continued into the second movement.

The third movement was more like the post bop jazz that we are accustomed to, the whole band was swinging. There were solos from the entire band. Mala’s, Craig’s and Dean’s solos were bursts of joy as well as swing. Babba Neil’s brought the influence of Baba Olantunji, the Nigerian drummer that brought African percussion to jazz in the 50s. Compassion brings ecstasy and dance.

A punctuation between parts of the 7 part suite was a ballad “Really Miss You” featuring Mala Waldron on vocals with Craig on the vocals. Craig explained this was to pay tribute to the other side of John Coltrane’s legacy, his more accessible music that is loved by both traditionalists and more progressive jazz fans alike. He mused “20 years ago, we would have played the suite straight through. I am older and wiser”.

Movements 5-7, Opened with the movement subtitled “Gotta Jones For You”. A tribute to Elvin Jones, the primary drummer in Coltrane’s classic quartet and a maestro in his own right. Uptempo polyrhythms, sonic colors and swing dominated the band’s sounds. The performance ended with the band and the crowd chanting “Ohnedaruth” , a fitting end to a concert designed to open our hearts and minds to compassion. Compassion will bring joy. A great message from the mid 60s that resonates today.

Incidentally this is one of a series of “Rhythm Salon” performances at the Gallery curated by Transart, Inc. and funded by CRNY’s Artist Employment Program. There are weekly performances running until This new performance space is in a gingerbread Victorian located in a residential neighborhood and is a work in progress. I was advised there eventually that they will house a 5’ grand piano.

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