Chi Coltrane, born Chicago "Chi" Coltrane on November 6, 1948, in Racine, Wisconsin, is an American singer. She began playing music at a young age and by twelve had mastered eight instruments, ultimately focusing on the piano. Raised in a household where jazz and classical music were prevalent, she cited Henry Mancini, Tchaikovsky, and Johann Strauss as her inspirations. Coltrane started performing in Chicago clubs during her teenage years and gained recognition when she represented the USA at the International Rock Festival in Rio de Janeiro in 1971. Coltrane's career took off after moving to Los Angeles, where she was invited by Curtis Mayfield to perform on his show. Her debut album Chi Coltrane was released in 1972 and featured the hit single "Thunder and Lightning", which reached number 17 on the U.S charts. In Europe, her song "Go Like Elijah" topped the Dutch charts. Subsequent albums included Let It Ride (1973), featuring "Who Ever Told You", a hit in German charts, and Road to Tomorrow (1977). Coltrane collaborated with various artists and toured extensively throughout Europe. Her later works include Silk & Steel (1981) and Ready to Roll (1982), both featuring notable singles. After a period of reduced activity, she returned in 2009 with a live performance at the Donauinselfest in Vienna and has since continued touring regularly through Europe.
