John Coltrane and the Truly Religious Life

The great jazz saxophonist John Coltrane said, “My goal is to live the truly religious life, and express it in my music.” James Galasinski, a Milwaukee based jazz musician and Unitarian Universalist, will explore the inspiration for Coltrane’s lifelong inner creative quest, his inspirational music, and what exactly the “truly religious life” is.  Live performances of Coltrane’s music will be featured.

James Galasinski has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Jazz Studies from Cardinal Stritch University, freelances as a jazz bassist in the Milwaukee area, and is a member of First Unitarian Society of Milwaukee. James enjoys traveling, hiking, and biking with his wife, Ulrike.  He is currently is pursuing a Master of Divinity degree at Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago with the goal of being a UU minister.

Ryan Meisel, composer, arranger and multi-saxophonist, got his bachelor of music from the UW-Madison and his masters degree from Northern Illinois University.  He currently teaches music in the Hartford School district and leads the Meisel Music Collective.