Coltrane

John Coltrane (1926-1967) is an artist whose sound reaches far beyond our human concept of time and space. His technically marvelous and virtuosic playing crossed boundaries most listeners cannot reach. From “Giant Steps” to “A Love Supreme” Coltrane’s music found an ability to open new realms of musical expression. From those closest to him to brand new listeners like me, John Coltrane’s music was meant to be meditated upon and interpreted in expansive ways.

To understand John Coltrane, it is fitting to start with his family and peers. Alice Coltrane was married to John only for three years before his death in 1967. Their relationship was built around spirituality. Through and through, Alice emphasized the importance of spirituality and traversing the unknown within John’s work as well as life. “He was always concentrating, meditating, seeking for a higher sound, higher music, higher experience, higher creativity in music.” (Alice Coltrane 1987) Since John Coltrane was so proficient within his practice and ambition it would make one wonder how he was like as a family man. Judging from Alice Coltrane’s attitude about John even after his death, it was easy to tell his personality had an incredible impact on everybody around him. John Coltrane expressed his love for bebop at a young age: “I think I was first awakened to musical exploration by Dizzy Gillespie and Bird. It was through their work that I began to learn about music structures and the more theoretical aspects of music.” (John Coltrane, 1965) The wording of this quote made Coltrane’s attitude towards music very pronounced, including the word musical exploration rather than just talking about theory and structure explains how his mind worked. Other musicians respected John Coltrane’s personality as well: “Trane was an innovator, and you have to say the right thing to people like that.” (Miles Davis 89”) This quote coming from Miles Davis is a big deal. Sometimes it is hard for the listener to understand the actual relationship between players. From what Miles is saying, he understood John Coltrane and respected his work. They did not have to be the best of friends. It felt that the relationship Miles and Coltrane shared was professional. Within Coltrane’s collaborations I found his virtuosic style of playing was the main contributor to the composition, whereas with his personal music endeavors, structure and composition played a larger role in creation.

To understand how John Coltrane gathered this influential personality and character we must see what his life was like. Born in 1926 in Hamlet, North Carolina Coltrane played Clarinet and Alto horn in the community band. His father passed away when he was still very young, leaving him to be raised by his mother and cousin. John was gifted his first Alto saxophone and soon saw Charlie Parker perform for the first time which started his musical development. Coltrane joined the Navy from 1945-1946, he played in the base swing band and eventually took a leadership role in the band. In the late 40’s Coltrane started picking up traction as an Alto Saxophone player. So much traction he eventually was a player in groups led by Dizzy Gillespie. Eventually, John got a call from Miles Davis and was offered to play in his band. Though eventually Coltrane’s heroin use got him kicked out of the band until he joined again in 58’ when he was clean. After this, Coltrane’s collaborative efforts as well as solo endeavors took off in a variety of directions. From Be-Bop style playing to another classic quartet and eventually avant-garde jazz.

Taking a trip through John Coltrane’s different musical styles, techniques and practices starts with his first recording from Hawaii with the Navy in 1946. Many people considered his playing to be not all that good. This idea shows how hard Coltrane practiced. Coltrane soon became known for practicing in an extreme way, “25 hours a day” soon he was coined for the term “sheets of sound”. The way he would play could be described in visual, tasteful, and auditory ways. The idea of this type of playing was new and incredible for listeners, especially young aspiring artists. Coltrane described his playing as “I start in the middle of a sentence and move both directions at once.” (Coltrane 1958) Though Coltrane became known for his incredible style and fast paced playing, later it became apparent that virtuosity was not just time oriented for Coltrane. Slow pieces like “In a Sentimental Mood” with Duke Ellington were just as impactful as “Giant Steps” but for different reasons. It is hard to pinpoint exactly what emotions are being evoked by any musician at one time but since Coltrane’s career was so impactful, we can get first-hand accounts from his peers to attempt to understand. “Trane was the loudest, fastest saxophonist I’ve ever heard… it was like he was possessed when he put that horn in his mouth.” (Miles Davis 89) This loud, fast playing became a masterpiece to many jazz listeners. When one first thinks about his fast style playing, the playing does not seem as if it is methodical whatsoever, it feels free handed and off the hip. Maybe this is why his intense practice pays off, once he is in the zone, the music innately becomes methodical in style and meaningful. On the other hand, pieces like “A Love Supreme” feel structured and planned out. Alice Coltrane points out her experience in this creation: “It was so interesting when John created A Love Supreme. He had meditated that week. I almost didn’t see him downstairs. And it was quiet! There was no sound, no practice! He was up there meditating, and when he came down, he said, “I have a whole new music!” He said, “There is a new recording that I will do, I have it all, everything.” And it was so beautiful! He was like Moses coming down from the mountain. And when he recorded it, he knew everything, everything. He said this was the first time that he had all the music in his head at once to record.” (Alice Coltrane 1984) This notion brings a new area of curiosity into one’s understanding of Coltrane. Methodical and slower playing as well as sheets of sound. John Coltrane was an incredible musician and creator, somebody who can only be understood through interpretation.

            Overall, John Coltrane’s legacy left on this earth will expand for generations to come. Influenced by, but never shaped by other musicians, John Coltrane created music that magnified his personality and let the listener expand their ear. Either it was intense practice or actual meditation, Coltrane’s music was subliminally mapped and shaped into his own style. The greatest way to experience this music is with and open ear and curious mind. John Coltrane’s musical significance will be personified by the younger generation’s interpretations of his work for years to come.

Citations:

“Alice Coltrane - Interview (Jazz Jamboree, 1987).” YouTube, YouTube, 14 July 2023, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gk6SLbAnbDE.

“Did Miles Davis and John Coltrane Ever Comment on Each Other’s Music during the ’60s?” Quora, www.quora.com/Did-Miles-Davis-and-John-Coltrane-ever-comment-on-each-others-music-during-the-60s#:~:text=In%20his%20autobiography%20Davis%20is,that%20horn%20in%20his%20mouth. Accessed 18 Dec. 2023.

John Coltrane - I Think I Was First Awakened to Musical... - Brainyquote, www.brainyquote.com/quotes/john_coltrane_143903. Accessed 18 Dec. 2023.

Potter, Jordan. “The Moment That Made Miles Davis Proud of John Coltrane.” Far Out Magazine, 14 Oct. 2023, faroutmagazine.co.uk/album-made-miles-davis-proud-john-coltrane/#:~:text=In%20his%201989%20book%2C%20Miles,thing%20to%20people%20like%20that.

“Quotes by Alice Coltrane: A-Z Quotes.” A, www.azquotes.com/author/43943-Alice_Coltrane. Accessed 18 Dec. 2023.