John W. Coltrane House

Neighborhood:North

Address:
1511 N. 33rd St.
Philadelphia, PA 19121

Significance:
A pioneering African American jazz musician, composer and saxophonist, John W. Coltrane (1926-1967) purchased this house in 1952. He lived here for much of the time from 1952 to 1958, and the property passed to his cousin Mary Alexander after his death in 1967. In the 1980s, Alexander helped found the John W. Coltrane Cultural Society to protect the house and promote Coltrane's legacy.

Type of Historic Resource:dwelling

Date Built / Architect:1895

Extant: yes

Philadelphia Register of Historic Places:Philadelphia Register (12/18/1985)

National Register of Historic Places:National Historic Landmark (1/20/1999), National Register (1/20/1999)

Listed in PHMC Cultural Resources Database:yes

Other surveys, if applicable:HABS (PA-6670)

Historical Marker:PA Historical Marker (1990)

Text of Historical Marker:
A pioneering African-American jazz musician, composer, saxophonist. Coltrane used African and Indian elements to create a distinctive style which at first shocked audiences but ultimately gained wide acceptance. He lived here, 1952-1958.