Avant-garde jazz pianist Alice Coltrane has died. She was 69. The pianist and widow of saxophone star John Coltrane died on Friday from respiratory failure. Coltrane married the legendary musician in 1963 and played piano for him as he moved into bolder, more spiritual music.

After his death in July 1967 from liver disease at the age of 40, she raised the couple's children, continued playing and expanding upon his music and devoted herself to the study of Eastern religions.

She is survived by her two sons, daughter and five grandchildren. Her son John Coltrane Jr. died in an automobile accident in 1982.

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)