Alice Coltrane (1937-2007) was a U.S. jazz pianist, organist, harpist, and composer. Coltrane was born Alice McLeod on the 27th August 1937 in Detroit, Michigan. She studied classical music, and attended Cass Technical High School in Detroit, where she continued her musical training. In 1959 she travelled to Paris and studied briefly with pianist Bud Powell. She began playing jazz as a professional in Detroit, both with her own trio and as a duo with vibist Terry Pollard.