John Coltrane

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American jazz saxophonist and composer

Coltrane in 1963

Background information
Birth name	John William Coltrane
Also known as
Born	(1926-09-23)September 23, 1926 Hamlet, North Carolina, U.S.
Origin
Died	July 17, 1967(1967-07-17) (aged 40) Huntington, New York, U.S.
Genres	Jazz, bebop, hard bop, modal jazz, free jazz
Occupation(s)	Musician, composer
Instrument(s)	Saxophone

John William Coltrane (September 23, 1926 – July 17, 1967) was an American jazz saxophonist and composer. He is among the most influential and acclaimed figures in the history of jazz and 20th-century music. Coltrane pioneered the use of modes in jazz and was later at the forefront of free jazz.

Early Life

Coltrane was born in Hamlet, North Carolina, and grew up in High Point, North Carolina. His early musical influences included Lester Young and Johnny Hodges. He began playing the clarinet and alto saxophone in high school before switching to the tenor saxophone.

Career

Coltrane's career began in the mid-1940s when he played in the Navy band during World War II. After the war, he played with Dizzy Gillespie's big band and later with Johnny Hodges. In 1955, he joined Miles Davis's quintet, where he gained recognition for his innovative playing style.

Classic Quartet

In 1960, Coltrane formed his own group, the John Coltrane Quartet, featuring McCoy Tyner on piano, Elvin Jones on drums, and Jimmy Garrison on bass. This group is best known for its recordings on the Impulse! Records label, including the landmark album A Love Supreme.

Later Years and Free Jazz

In the mid-1960s, Coltrane's music took a radical turn towards free jazz, characterized by a more abstract and experimental approach. Albums like Ascension and Meditations exemplify this period.

Personal Life

Coltrane was married twice, first to Naima Coltrane and later to Alice Coltrane, a pianist and harpist who also became a significant figure in jazz. He had three children, including Ravi Coltrane, who is also a saxophonist.

Death and Legacy

Coltrane died of liver cancer on July 17, 1967, at the age of 40. His influence on jazz and music, in general, remains profound. He was posthumously awarded a Pulitzer Prize in 2007 for his contributions to music.

Related Pages

• Miles Davis
• Thelonious Monk
• Dizzy Gillespie
• Duke Ellington
• McCoy Tyner
• Elvin Jones
• Jimmy Garrison
• A Love Supreme
• Free jazz
• Modal jazz