Carlos Santana leads movement to honor John Coltrane
Carlos Santana and other musicians are backing an effort to pay tribute to jazz legend John Coltrane by turning his suburban New York home into a museum.
Coltrane lived in Dix Hills, Long Island, for several years until his death in 1967. The jazz saxophonist wrote the masterpiece “A Love Supreme” in an upstairs bedroom.
Now volunteers are trying to raise money to renovate the dilapidated four-bedroom brick rancher into a museum and learning center.
Santana, Coltrane’s son Ravi Coltrane and others attended a fundraiser for the Coltrane House project last month in New York City.
Burns’ next opus: The Roosevelts
Filmmaker Ken Burns wants to tell the story of the Roosevelts, both strengths and flaws, in his upcoming documentary on one of America’s most famous political families.
Burns previewed parts of the 14-hour series Saturday during a Roosevelt family reunion on the grounds of the Georgia polio clinic purchased by President Franklin Roosevelt. The film airs next year and explores the history of Roosevelt; his wife, Eleanor; and President Theodore Roosevelt.
The Roosevelts featured in the film lived and governed during a time of enormous change in the U.S, including the country’s emergence as a world power, the Great Depression, World War II and the civil rights struggle.
Hart gives back to hometown
Actor and comedian Kevin Hart donated 500 computers to schools and recreation centers in his hometown of Philadelphia, a move that he hopes will inspire others to follow his lead.
“I am blessed to be in a position that allows me to give back to the city that made me who I am,” Hart said in a statement.
Hart attended local public schools before embarking on an entertainment career that includes the 2011 stand-up special “Laugh at My Pain.” He has also hosted MTV’s Video Music Awards and “Saturday Night Live.”
Mayor Michael Nutter joined Hart on Friday to visit four schools that collectively received 300 laptops. The district has endured severe budget cuts this year, including the closure of about two dozen schools.
In addition, 27 city community centers will share 200 desktop computers, which Recreation Commissioner Susan Slawson called an “invaluable resource for our youth.”
The birthday bunch
Actress Peggy McCay is 86. Actor Shadoe Stevens is 67. Singer Lulu is 65. Comedian Roseanne Barr is 61. Actress Kate Capshaw is 60. Comedian Dennis Miller is 60. Actress Kathy Kinney (“The Drew Carey Show”) is 60. Singer Adam Ant is 59. Actor Dolph Lundgren is 56. Actress Julie Berman (“General Hospital”) is 30.