Tiberi Tapes: A Preview Of The Mythic Recordings

In 2026, the global project “COLTRANE100” was launched to commemorate the 100th anniversary of John Coltrane’s birth. At its core, the long-awaited, previously unreleased live recordings known as the “Tiberi Tapes”—which have been spoken of as “legendary” for many years—are finally being officially released. Recorded in clubs in New York and Philadelphia between 1961 and 1965, this collection is a valuable record of a period when Coltrane’s music was in a state of constant evolution. The recordings were made by saxophonist Frank Taiberi. Deeply moved by Coltrane’s club performances, Taiberi brought his own equipment and continued to record Coltrane’s playing. For many years, these tapes were passed down as “hidden gems” known only to a very limited circle of insiders, garnering significant interest as a resource offering a glimpse into Coltrane’s performances and thought processes during his prime