The Coltrane Effect

The Coltrane Effect The Coltrane Effect

By Max Jefferson

John Coltrane is a name that exemplifies the essence of what it truly means to be a jazz icon. The sheer level of creativity and technical mastery that Coltrane reached on the saxophone has been recognized across cultural boundaries and has been widely-respected by musicians and artists internationally. Although he died abruptly in 1967, due to liver cancer, Coltrane's genius lives on through the timeless music that he produced during his distinguished career. Coltrane was born on September 23, 1926 in Hamlet, North Carolina. The son of a preacher and grandson of a minister, disaster and adversity struck home in 1938 when Coltrane was only twelve years old. Following the sudden deaths of his father, grandfather, grandmother, and aunt , a young Coltrane looked to music as a means toward survival.

As a young adolescent and on into early adulthood, Coltrane gravitated towards the popularity of bebop music during the 1940s. When he moved to Philadelphia in 1943 with other members of his family, Coltrane threw himself into a vibrant music scene. After a short stint in the U.S. Navy at the end of World War II, Coltrane decided to adopt music as his desired profession. From 1946 to 1955, Coltrane dedicated himself to apprenticeship. He worked up the ranks, backing multiple jazz and R&B singers. In the midst of a busy lifestyle during those developmental years, Coltrane turned to heroin usage in 1951, which he would continue for over half a decade.

1955 to 1959 was a golden time for Coltrane on his way to becoming among the most revered jazz artists in history. In 1955, Coltrane was asked to audition for trumpeter Miles Davis' band. The relatively unknown saxophonist was intimidated and hesitant at first. However, under Miles' tutelage, Coltrane's confidence would grow exponentially. Their relationship remains one of the most significant in jazz history. The rise of modal jazz, as featured in Miles Davis' most famous album, Kind of Blue, caught Coltrane's attention and strongly influenced his ideological approach to music.

From 1959 to 1961, Coltrane left Miles' group behind and began to release some of his most respected work as a solo artist under a new contract with Atlantic Records. One of his most important albums was recorded during this time, Giant Steps. Songs like "Naima" and the title track are jazz masterpieces that stand the tests of time. Coltrane followed up with My Favorite Things in 1961. The album ended up becoming his biggest commercial hit, and the title track remains one of Coltrane's most memorable recordings. During the early 1960s, Coltrane signed with Impulse Records. He worked on many projects during this time, including his own quintet before forming his "Classic Quartet" which included drummer Elvin Jones and bassist Jimmy Garrison. Coltrane performed ballads and collaborated with the likes of jazz legends like Duke Ellington for example. He had become a force to be reckoned with in the jazz world, headlining nightclubs and festivals. Coltrane had evolved into a well respected artist within American music culture. Coltrane reached the pinnacle of his success in 1965 when he released A Love Supreme. It is widely regarded as his best album and earned Coltrane two grammy nominations, along with the attention of younger listeners. Coltrane was admired by a new generation of Americans with new and more alternative perspectives. Through their political sensitivity and social consciousness, they produced a form of creativity that reflected the turbulence of late 1960s America. It was during these last years of Coltrane's life that he produced his most controversial work. Despite reaching his highest level of notoriety in 1967, Coltrane's health began to deteriorate. His commitment to his craft never wavered despite this development, continuing to perform and record music. His death on July 17, 1967 sent shockwaves through the music world. Coltrane left behind his wife Alice Coltrane, as well as their four children.

Coltrane emerged from the ashes of family tragedy and local obscurity to blossom into one of the greatest jazz artists to ever walk the earth. His compositions and recordings have been recognized by the Library of Congress, with several inducted into The Grammy Hall of Fame. Coltrane has received numerous posthumous accolades, including the Pulitzer Prize in 2007. His legacy is larger than life, especially when considering his rightful place as an African American cultural hero. To this day, it's hard not to recognize the complex but soothing sound of his saxophone. It's safe to say that Coltrane's sound will echo for generations to come, and his story of artistic innovation and triumph will continue to inspire people of all walks of life.