Jazzwise – September 2026

Summary

John Coltrane at 100 leads Jazzwise Issue 321 for September 2026, and the feature "John Coltrane At 100" opens on page 20 with a UK-focused companion "Coltrane in the UK" on page 26.

Issue 321 for September 2026 builds its cover around Coltrane's centenary, with "His Ascension Beyond The Notes" on the cover and six features inside: Coltrane at 100 on 20, Coltrane in the UK on 26, Civil Disobedience on 28, Larry Stabbins on 30, Norwegian Nights on 32 and Gary Bartz on 35. Reviews run from page 36 to 53, and the live and gig-guide pages close the book.

Regulars keep a reader working: News from 4 to 15, Taking Off on 18-19, Instrument Reviews on 54, The Player on 56 and Letters on 66. For a listener who wants the Coltrane centenary argued rather than just celebrated, the pair of Coltrane features is the reason to buy.

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Content Guide

▸ Cover Story / Coltrane Centenary
p.20 · John Coltrane At 100
The centenary feature carries the cover line "His Ascension Beyond The Notes" and runs the Coltrane story at length. It names the recordings and the players around him. Play one named Coltrane record alongside reading this feature.

p.26 · Coltrane in the UK
The companion piece narrows to Coltrane's UK visits, naming the venues and the dates he played. It covers the reception on this side of the Atlantic. Look up one UK venue named here and find what survives of that night.

▸ Features
p.28 · Civil Disobedience
The feature takes a political thread through the music, naming the artists and the moments that carried it. It sets the argument with records rather than slogans. Pair one record named here with the Coltrane centenary piece.

p.30 · Larry Stabbins
The profile covers Larry Stabbins, naming his work and the groups he played in. It addresses his place in the British scene. Find one Stabbins record named here and listen to it this week.

p.32 · Norwegian Nights
The piece covers the Norwegian scene, naming the players and the labels behind it. It sets out why the region keeps producing work. Search one Norwegian label named here and hear a record from it.

p.35 · Gary Bartz
The profile covers Gary Bartz, naming his recordings and the bands he worked with. It addresses his link to the Coltrane line. Play one Bartz record named here next to the Coltrane feature.

▸ Reviews / Regulars
p.36-53 · Reviews
The reviews section runs new releases with named records and players across the page range. Each entry states the release and the verdict. Buy one record reviewed in this section and judge it against the review.

p.54 · Instrument Reviews
The instrument page tests gear, naming the item and what it does for a player. It covers the build and the sound. Try the reviewed instrument at a shop before ordering one.

p.16-17 · Coltrane's Legacy… Live
The live page covers Coltrane's legacy in performance, naming the shows and the players carrying it now. It points at what to go and hear. Book one live date named on this page and go.

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Editor's Take

The Coltrane centenary is handled properly here: two features rather than one, with the UK piece on page 26 doing real work by naming venues, and Gary Bartz on 35 tying the line back to the present. The strongest thing is that the issue argues the legacy rather than just reissuing praise. The weakness is the sheer review block from 36 to 53, which runs long and flattening, and some features are shorter than the cover promise suggests. It suits a jazz listener who wants the centenary placed in context, not a newcomer wanting a gentle introduction.

Strengths
• Two Coltrane features, not one
• UK piece names real venues
• Gary Bartz links past to present
• Live page points at real dates

Weaknesses
• Review block runs long and flat
• Some features shorter than the cover suggests

Verdict: Recommended — the centenary pair is worth it, the review section drags.