The Book Beat presents A LOVE SUPREME, a memorial tribute to John Coltrane and Thomas V. Silvia. Poets & Musicians John Sinclair, James Semark, Farouk Z. Bey and M.L. Liebler will present a selection of works inspired by Coltrane on Thursday, August 30th from 7:00-8:30 PM at the Book Beat, 26010 Greenfield in Oak Park. Please call 248-968-1190 for more information.

This summer marks the 40th anniversary of the death of John Coltrane who died July 17, 1967. A revolutionary musician and composer who brought spirituality, unity and vast expansion to the field of sound. In his 1965 album Meditations, Coltrane wrote about uplifting people, "...To inspire them to realize more and more of their capacities for living meaningful lives. Because there certainly is meaning to life."

"John Coltrane liked to draw and analogy between mankind and his horn, explaining that one group might represent the upper register, another the mid-range and yet another the deeper notes, but that it took all of them to make a whole."

--Alice Coltrane

Thomas V. Silvia was an Ann Arbor attorney and musician dedicated to the arts and the rights of artists. He represented many of those in our community who could not afford legal services. He was an essential element to the planning of the 40th anniversary of the Detroit Artists Workshop in 2003-04, and was himself an avid musician and performer. Much of his time was dedicated and given to the peace movement. He died on August 3rd, 2007.
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About the performers:

John Sinclair is the founder of the Detroit Artists Workshop, x-manager of the MC5, Blues Scholar, and full time bard who spends much of his time traveling and performing across Europe and the USA. He will be reading from his book Meditations, first published in 1967 and newly reissued by the Book Beat. His classic book of counter culture essays, Guitar Army, has been recently reissued. He is also the subject of a soon to be released film on DVD, Twenty to Life. Subscribe and read his wild and woolly travelogue at: On the Road with John Sinclair.

M.L. Liebler is a professor of English at Wayne State University and director of the Springfed Literary Arts of Metro Detroit. A major performance poet and arts activist in the Motor city and beyond, Liebler is also the founder of the marvelous “Magic Poetry Band.” His works are widely published and recorded on CD. Visit his website at: M.L. LIEBLER.COM

James Semark is a poet, musician and founding member of the Detroit Artists Workshop. He was a major organizer of the 40th reunion of the DAW, and he’s agreed to perform his classic “Rhythm Ballad for John Coltrane” at the event. Semark maintains the DAW website at: Detroit Artists Workshop.ORG

Faruq Z. Bey is the founder of the seminal creative Detroit based jazz ensemble "GRIOT GALAXY". Their cd OPUS CRAMPUS on the sound aspects label earned them international acclaim. Faruq is also a published poet and is currently a member of the Detroit based ensemble "SPEAKING IN TONGUES". He has worked with the Northwoods Improvisers on and off since the fall of 2000. Faruq will read some of his poetry on Coltrane and perform “Deliver Me/ A Love Supreme” with his longtime collaborator M.L. Liebler.