Opera Mississippi to honor Miles Davis and John Coltrane on October 26

Opera Mississippi will mark the 100th anniversaries of Miles Davis and John Coltrane with “Centennial Giants: Coltrane and Davis” at Jackson’s Duling Hall on October 26, 2026. The evening features The Larry Panella Quintet and spotlights two musicians whose recordings reshaped modern jazz.

Why it matters: - Miles Davis and John Coltrane helped define the sound of modern jazz and influenced generations of musicians across genres. - Opera Mississippi’s concert connects that legacy to a live performance in Jackson as the jazz world marks the 100th anniversary of both artists’ births.

What happened: - Opera Mississippi will present “Centennial Giants: Coltrane and Davis” on Monday, October 26, 2026, at Duling Hall in Jackson, Mississippi. - The performance will feature The Larry Panella Quintet. - Doors and Opera Happy Hour begin at 6:00 p.m. - The performance begins at 7:00 p.m. - General admission seating is $40.

The details: - Miles Davis and John Coltrane first played together in the Miles Davis Quintet. - Their work included music associated with the landmark album Kind of Blue. - Davis was born in Illinois and became a central figure in major jazz movements from the 1940s through the 1990s. - Davis’s recordings ranged from Birth of the Cool to Bitches Brew. - Davis’s ensembles launched the careers of many major jazz musicians. - Coltrane was born in North Carolina and became a leading saxophonist in hard bop, modal jazz and free jazz. - Coltrane’s best-known albums include Giant Steps and A Love Supreme. - The Larry Panella Quintet includes Larry Panella on saxophone, Ashlin Parker on trumpet, Sam Bruton on piano, David Pellow on bass and Nathan Sanders on percussion. - Tickets and additional information are available at Opera Mississippi.

Between the lines: - The concert is built as both a tribute and a shorthand history of jazz innovation, using two artists whose careers often serve as entry points into the genre’s evolution. - Pairing Davis and Coltrane in one program underscores how their collaborations helped open the door to later experiments in jazz.

What's next: - Opera Mississippi will stage the event in late October as part of the 100th-anniversary commemorations for both musicians. - The organization is directing audiences to its website for tickets and event details.

The bottom line: - Opera Mississippi is turning one night in Jackson into a tribute to two of jazz’s most influential voices, with a live performance centered on their lasting impact.