September 2026 marks the 100th birthday of jazz legend John Coltrane. In celebration of this, we have a series of exciting performances in a variety of venues, the first of which is Evan Parker’s Ritual for John Coltrane.

Evan Parker returns to one of his favourite venues with a new project featuring himself on saxophone, the electronics of Matt Wright & Filipe Gomes, and the Mark Sanders Percussion Ensemble (led by Mark Sanders and featuring Jim Bashford, Tymek Jozwiak and Miles Levin).

Evan says, 'The piece is an improvisation framed by and in response to the specifics of The Foyle Studio space in MAC.

Although the music will be improvised, the relationship between the space, the players and the audience will generate a focus and a powerful genius loci (Spirit of the Place):  a triangle/trio of players inside a square -  a quartet placed at the four corners of the available space. The triangle will have its point at the rear where I will sit.

The LH and RH positions will be taken by Matt Wright and Filipe Gomes playing live electronics/samples. Seated in the surrounding four corners will be Mark's percussion quartet, the players  in fixed position, playing set ups ,each designed to cover the materials: skin, wood, metal.

The inspiration for the piece came from the spirit of place that I felt during my two previous performances in the dance studio. The acoustics are warm and detailed. The contact with the audience is close and immediate'