The Ashram Albums of Alice
08.27.16
This is an exploration of Alice ‘Swamini Turiyasangitananda’ Coltrane’s devotional music, specifically the four albums she self-released through her Sai Anantam Ashram in Agoura Hills, California between 1982-1995. During this period of intense spiritual reflection Coltrane’s music took flight into higher dimensions.
We hear about these singular works and gain insight into Turiya’s intention through interviews with family members, students, musical collaborators and scholars including: Radha Botofasina, Varun Soni, Sita Michelle Coltrane, Purusha Hickson, Ashley Kahn, Brandee Younger, Flying Lotus, Shankari Adams, Ed Michel, Surya Botofasina, Marilyn McLeod Ellison, Reggie Workman, Baker Bigsby and Oranyan Coltrane.
Produced by Mark “Frosty” McNeill
Art by the luminous Jess Rotter.
Special thanks to all those who so graciously gave their time to be interviewed for this project. I would especially like to express my gratitude to the students of The Vedantic Center for opening their arms and memories to me. I am indebted to Josh Kun, Varun Soni, and Diane Winston for their guidance. Many thanks to Sasha Anawalt for her enthusiastic support. Eternal gratitude to my wife Nara Hernandez for her patience, love, and wisdom. This program is dedicated to the memory of Swamini Turiyasangitananda. – Frosty