This opening episode reflects on Alice Coltrane's earliest formative musical experiences. Detroit based harpist and multidisciplinary artist, Ahya Simone reads extracts and explores the chapter, ‘God's Child In The Motor City’, from the book ‘Monument Eternal: The Music of Alice Coltrane’ written by Professor Franya J. Berkman. This show begins with a short introduction by Erin Christovale, the curator of the exhibition Alice Coltrane, Monument Eternal open from Feb 9 – May 4, 2025 at The Hammer Museum in LA. In this 60 minute show, we delve into the musician’s early life as a church pianist and organist, highlighting her time as a progressive bebop musician, as well as her influences from jazz greats Ernest Farrow, Terry Pollard, Bud Powell and later, John Coltrane. This special show is credited to the late Professor of Ethnomusicology Franya J. Berkman. Here is a link to Ms Berkman's book, ‘Monument Eternal: The Music of Alice Coltrane’ for anyone wishing to study and find out more.