MiXMONK - Raphael Rogiński

A double jazz celebration! John Coltrane would have turned one hundred in 2026, and Alice Coltrane ninety in 2027. Both icons and perpetual innovators on their instruments remain points of reference for today’s artists. Ancienne Belgique and Bozar are joining forces for a unique tribute to John Coltrane. This concert will take place at Ancienne Belgique.

Raphael Rogiński
Polish musician Raphael Roginski (PL) wanted to be a sculptor from a young age, until he discovered the guitar. He practised like a man possessed and once told Polish weekly Polityka that he played his guitar “like wild meat, shamelessly and greedily till blood was pouring from my fingers”. There is little trace of that these days. The guitar style on his latest albums sounds graceful and meditative, with a nod to American primitivism. 

His cult following was fuelled by the reissue of his 2015 album Plays John Coltrane and Langston Hughes. Pitchfork describes this work as “Roginski’s masterpiece”. But those expecting to recognise Coltrane classics like Naima, Mr. PC or Countdown (all from Giant Steps, Coltrane’s first album of original compositions) or Blue Train are in for a surprise. Pitchfork: “It would take an Olympic leap of imagination” or “In some cases, even the tonal connection is as tenuous as spider’s silk”. Which, of course, makes Roginski’s interpretations all the more unique. Wonderful, because (JOHN) COLTRANE 100 is not looking for copycats, but rather innovators who can further explore Coltrane’s path.

MiXMONK Supreme
MiXMONK Supreme (BE/US) remains the inimitable trio comprising American drummer Joey Baron, pianist Bram De Looze and saxophonist Robin Verheyen. At the request of AB, MiXMONK Supreme reimagines Crescent – described as “Coltrane's criminally underrated record” (Everything Jazz) as well as “Coltrane’s most melancholy record” (Penguin Guide to Jazz). Although Coltrane recorded the album with his legendary Classic Quartet, MiXMONK Supreme takes it on as a trio. MiXMONK Supreme takes it all even further and also pays tribute to the work of pianist Thelonious Monk who was hugely influential for Coltrane, as he himself stated in DownBeat in 1960: “Working with Monk brought me close to a musical architect of the highest order I felt I learned from him in every way - through the senses, theoretically, technically. I would talk to Monk about musical problems, and he would sit at the piano and show me the answers just by playing them.” Even though John Coltrane’s Crescent and Thelonious Monk form the historical backbone of this project, MiXMONK Supreme also presents new original work. Their own compositions honour the roots of jazz while also extending a hand to the future.