August 14, 2026
Branford Marsalis has shared “Central Park West,” the saxophonist’s gorgeous new version of John Coltrane’s classic ballad from his forthcoming tribute album Dedicated to You, which will be released September 18 in celebration of Coltrane’s Centennial. Performed as a duet with Marsalis on soprano saxophone and Joey Calederazzo on piano, the track is a highlight of this exquisite homage which also features vocalist Dianne Reeves joining Marsalis’ Quartet for renditions of the six standards that appeared on the 1963 Impulse album John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman.
The album—which is available for pre-order on Blue Note Store exclusive color vinyl, black vinyl, CD, and digital download—was introduced last month with the vocal track “They Say It’s Wonderful.”
“John Coltrane, in his genius, developed a parallel sonic and intellectual understanding of ecumenical, 40s swing, and early R&B and post-bop, to create a sound that, while intellectually challenging, is emotionally stimulating,” says Marsalis. “His embodiment of all these sides of music is what any musician – of any style – should strive to achieve. It was our privilege to honor his contributions to jazz. We hope to have done justice to his ideals.”
The album was recorded by engineer Rob Hunter at Clayton State University’s Spivey Hall in Morrow, Georgia, a unique space that gave the album its spacious sound. “Joey and I played duos in that venue in 2012, and we were shocked by the quality of the room’s sound,” says Marsalis. “We needed a room like that, wide enough to capture our sound and Dianne’s sound.”
“John Coltrane was not about trying to destroy the norm,” Marsalis insists. “He came up like Picasso. He knew the tradition and then saw how to expand it. He didn’t think of songs as ‘vehicles,’ he was sympathetic to the songs he played, and that’s our goal, to be sympathetic to the music.”
