John Coltrane Centenary Celebration feat. Emma Rawicz

The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra marks 100 years since John Coltrane’s birth with a special concert at The Queen’s Hall on Friday 18 September 2026. Saxophonist Emma Rawicz joins the orchestra for a programme of newly commissioned arrangements, starting at 7.30pm.

The concert looks beyond a simple greatest-hits set, using new orchestral writing to revisit Coltrane’s compositions, sound, and continuing influence on modern jazz.

Key Event Details

Coltrane at 100

Coltrane was born in 1926, making 2026 the centenary of one of jazz’s most influential saxophonists and composers. His work with Thelonious Monk and Miles Davis helped shape his early reputation, but his own records pushed much further into modal playing, dense harmony, and extended improvisation.

Giant Steps remains one of the clearest examples of his technical and harmonic impact. The composition is still treated as a serious test by jazz musicians, while albums such as A Love Supreme showed how far Coltrane could take a full group into more spiritual and searching territory.

Emma Rawicz and the SNJO

Emma Rawicz is the featured soloist for the Edinburgh performance. The saxophonist, composer, and bandleader has worked with groups such as the BBC Concert Orchestra and WDR Big Band, while building her own reputation through recordings and festival appearances.

Kieran McLeod directs the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra for this programme. The newly commissioned arrangements should allow the concert to balance recognisable Coltrane themes with larger ensemble writing and space for Rawicz to improvise.

Tickets and Venue

Tickets were listed from £8 to £32 on 11 July 2026. Check the official Queen’s Hall listing for current seat availability. The venue is on Clerk Street, with frequent bus services from the city centre.

Planning Your Visit

The box office opens at 6pm and venue doors open at 6.30pm. The Queen’s Hall’s acoustic suits large jazz ensembles particularly well, but sightlines vary around the auditorium. See more dates on our Queen’s Hall events page.

Our Tips

• Book early if you want a central view of the full orchestra.
• Arrive before 7.30pm, as the commissioned programme is the main event rather than a drop-in set.
• Check the official page for any final programme notes before travelling.