Naima in Japan: McCoy Tyner, Elvin Jones & Cecil McBee – A John Coltrane Tribute (1987)

 

From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack.

In 1987, McCoy Tyner and Elvin Jones—surviving pillars of John Coltrane’s legendary quartet—reunited in Japan with bassist Cecil McBee for a transcendent memorial concert honoring Coltrane’s legacy. This rare performance captures the emotional weight and spiritual power of “Naima”, Coltrane’s haunting 1959 ballad written for his first wife, Naima Coltrane. More than a concert, this was a ceremonial offering. In Japan, where Coltrane is revered as a kind of musical bodhisattva, his music carries sacred weight—and Naima became the prayer at the center of this sonic temple. The trio’s performance weaves reverence, memory, and deep improvisational mastery, drawing a line from the past to the eternal. 🎷 McCoy Tyner – piano 🥁 Elvin Jones – drums 🎻 Cecil McBee – bass This performance stands as both tribute and testimony—echoing the spiritual intensity that defined Coltrane’s journey and the devotion of those who carried it forward.