The Best of Jazz Music: John Coltrane

Discover the best of jazz music through the lens of one of its most prolific and influential artists, John Coltrane.

Introduction

John Coltrane was an American jazz musician and composer, who was one of the most influential saxophonists in jazz history. He was known for his distinctive style and for his pioneering work in the development of jazz improvisation.

Coltrane was born in North Carolina in 1926, and began playing the saxophone when he was thirteen years old. He quickly developed a passion for music, and by the time he was in his twenties, he was playing with some of the most well-known jazz musicians of his generation, including Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk.

In 1955, Coltrane recorded his first album as a leader, titled “Blue Train”. This album is considered to be one of the greatest Jazz albums ever recorded. Over the next few years, Coltrane continued to develop his style, experimenting with various techniques and modalities. In 1960, he recorded his most famous album, “My Favorite Things”, which featured his now-signature composition “Giant Steps”.

Coltrane continued to perform and record until his untimely death from liver cancer in 1967. His work had a profound impact on the course of jazz music, and he is survived by his wife Alice Coltrane and their two children.

Early Life and Career

John Coltrane was born in North Carolina in 1926. His father was a preacher and his mother was a domestic worker. Coltrane began playing the piano at the age of four and the alto saxophone at the age of thirteen. He joined his high school jazz band and later studied at the Ornstein School of Music. In 1946, he moved to Philadelphia to play with the Eddie Vinson Band.

Childhood

John Coltrane was born on September 23, 1926 in Hamlet, North Carolina. His father, John R. Coltrane, played clarinet and saxophone and his mother, Alice Blair Coltrane was a pianist. His aunt Viola Gale played violin and his grandfather William Blakeley Coltrane was a minister. Music was always present in Coltrane’s life from an early age. At the age of 13 he started playing the saxophone and soon after he joined his high school band. When he was 16 he began sitting in with local rhythm and blues bands.

First Recordings

In late 1945, Coltrane began playing in a nightclub band led by Earl Bostic. A few months later, he joined pianist Johnny Smythe’s band. He stayed with Smythe for several months before returning home to Wilmington in early 1946. From there, he gigged regularly with local bands, most notably with Bruce Hampton and the Blue Notes. He also began sitting in with the Miles Davis Quintet when they performed in town. In late 1947, Coltrane moved to Philadelphia to join the Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson Band. He only stayed with Vinson for a few weeks before leaving to join trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie’s big band.

Later Career

After leaving Miles Davis’s group and signing with Atlantic Records in April 1960, Coltrane continued to develop his own style, moving away from the hard bop aesthetic of the 1950s. His first album for the label, My Favorite Things, was a departure from his earlier work, incorporating elements of modal jazz arrangement.

A Love Supreme

The title of this record, A Love Supreme, refers to a state of supreme awareness and spiritual uplift. The album is widely regarded as one of the greatest jazz records of all time, and it is certainly one of the most influential. It is the culmination of all that Coltrane had learned up to that point in his career, and it signaled a new direction for him and for jazz in general.

A Love Supreme was recorded in one day, December 9th, 1964, at Van Gelder Studios in New Jersey. The recording session was jointly produced by Impulse! Records and Coltrane’s own label, Atlantic Records. The record features Coltrane on tenor saxophone, McCoy Tyner on piano, Jimmy Garrison on bass, and Elvin Jones on drums.

The album consists of four parts: “Acknowledgement”, “Resolution”, “Pursuance”, and “Psalm”. Each part is a distinct musical statement, but they all work together to create a cohesive whole. The opening track, “Acknowledgement”, is a short free-jazz piece that serves as an introduction to the rest of the album. It is followed by “Resolution”, which is a modal jazz composition that demonstrates Coltrane’s mastery of the genre. “Pursuance” is a fast-paced bebop-influenced track that showcases Coltrane’s virtuosic saxophone playing. The final track, “Psalm”, is a devotional work based on a poem written by Coltrane himself.

A Love Supreme was an immediate critical and commercial success upon its release in 1965. It has since been hailed as one of the greatest jazz albums of all time by critics and fans alike.

Other Notable Works

In addition to “A Love Supreme”, John Coltrane’s later career produced several other notable works. These include “Crescent”, “Meditations”, and “Expression”.

“Crescent” is an album consisting of two extended compositions, “Crescent” and “Wise One”. It was recorded in 1964 and released in 1965. Like “A Love Supreme”, it is considered to be one of Coltrane’s most important works.

“Meditations” is a six-part suite that was recorded in 1966 and released in 1967. It is a very spiritual work, inspired by Coltrane’s religious beliefs.

“Expression” is an album that was recorded in 1967 but not released until 1992. It consists of two long improvised pieces, “Expression” and “The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost”.

Legacy

John Coltrane was and is one of the most important and revered figures in jazz history. His innovative style and virtuosic performance technique raised the bar for all aspiring jazz musicians, and his compositions continue to be studied and performed today. His influence can be heard in the playing of virtually every jazz saxophonist that followed him. Though he passed away over fifty years ago, Coltrane’s legacy continues to inspire musicians and fans around the world.

Influence on Other Musicians

John Coltrane was one of the most influential jazz musicians of all time. His style and sound paved the way for many other artists in the genre, and his influence can still be heard today.

Coltrane was born in North Carolina in 1926, and he began playing the saxophone at a young age. He quickly developed a unique style that combined bebop, hard bop, and modal jazz. He rose to prominence in the 1950s, playing with Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk. He also recorded several solo albums that are considered classics of jazz.

Coltrane’s influence can be heard in the work of many subsequent jazz musicians, including Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter, McCoy Tyner, Chick Corea, and Herbie Hancock. His music has also been cited as an influence by rock musicians such as Jimi Hendrix and Carlos Santana.

Conclusion

John Coltrane was one of the most influential jazz musicians of all time. His work has inspired countless other artists and his recordings are still cherished by fans today. If you’re looking for the best of Coltrane’s music, these are the albums you need to hear.