Isaiah Collier

“[Isaiah Collier] has established himself as an heir apparent to both the Chicago lineage and the post-Coltrane sax tradition” – Giovanni Russonello, New York Times

Isaiah Collier 'Collier Plays Coltrane' / 100th Birthday of John Coltrane

John Coltrane (Born September 23rd, 1926) departed this mortal almost 60 years ago; today he remains among us, more alive than ever. His sound continues to grab the ears of an ever-widening circle of fans. His legend is stone solid: planted firmly in our culture as that of any 20th century musical giant. His saxophone sound—brooding, searching, dark—is still one of the most recognizable in modern jazz. His influence stretches over styles and genres, and transcends cultural boundaries.

Isaiah Collier is a Chicago native, born and raised on the city’s South Side. A composer, arranger, educator, and self-described “Sonic Scientist,” Collier has emerged as one of the most exciting voices in contemporary jazz. DownBeat Magazine has hailed him as “The Next Sax Giant”—a title befitting an artist who continues to reshape the sonic landscape of modern jazz. Collier is known for his relentless pursuit of blending the rich traditions of the past with the urgency of the present to forge the sound of the future.

Among his many honors, Collier has been named a Steve Jobs Archive Fellow, Chicagoan of the Year in Jazz (2024), and was featured on the front cover of DownBeat Magazine, the world’s oldest jazz publication. His music has also been recognized by The New York Times, where his work was listed among the Best Jazz Albums of the Year. Described as a maverick of creative and improvisational force, he has collaborated with jazz luminaries such as Kahil El’Zabar, Ambrose Akinmusire, Craig Taborn, Joe Dyson, Azar Lawrence, NEA Jazz Masters Billy Hart, Marshall Allen, and Denardo Coleman (son of free jazz pioneer Ornette Coleman), as well as Nicole Mitchell, Randy Brecker, Billy Harper, Marquis Hill, and Makaya McCraven.