As someone who lives in a very musical family, I grew up listening to all kinds of music, spanning rock, reggae, classical, and R&B among others. It wasn’t until my late teens that I started listening to jazz more heavily. I have to say, jazz just hits different. I listened to a diverse range of artists, but I was immediately pulled into the music of John Coltrane. Maybe it was his silky-smooth style or his virtuosic command of the tenor saxophone. Or maybe I saw my high school self in him as the great saxophonist that I pretended to be (I did actually play alto sax). His music speaks to me, and if you want to share in the joy of the listening experience, read on.
Before discussing his music, what’s all the buzz around Trane? John Coltrane comes up a fair bit when discussing music preferences with others. This is not surprising, his music is as fresh now as it was when he first sounded those soothing notes from that saxophone. Usually, one of us will mention Coltrane and there will be an unstated acknowledgement that his musical prowess speaks for itself with an affirmation in the form of a nod or an utterance of “Coltraaane.” More than that and we might do harm to his name to discuss the greatness of his music in vain. We both know that this is nonsense. So, what is it about Trane that makes his music so good?
One word that comes to mind when I think of Coltrane’s playing is versatile. His music is powerful and soulful. At once, he effortlessly glides across beautiful melodies, giving off an airy tone. Later, he escapes to the lower register of the saxophone, creating a warm and inviting sound. With those beaming high notes and resonant lows, he makes the tenor sax sing like an alto. Even though his music will want to make you fall in love again, there is great depth and substance to his playing. Alright, enough fanboying from me. Let’s get to the music, shall we?
My all-time favourite Trane track is probably “Violets for Your Furs – Rudy Van Gelder Remaster.” First of all, it really doesn’t get any better than that piano intro. Nothing like setting the mood for dinner by candlelight or a wine date for two. Coltrane comes in on the beat belting the first few notes, until he retreats to a downward riff that repeats with slight variations throughout the song. The bass line and piano accompany ever so gently to really let the saxophone shine. Midway through the song, the piano takes over with a solo, imitating Trane’s opening lines with more harmonic colour. At this point, the bass picks up in speed. This segment leads to a more powerful entry, blasting out the notes in a way that is never forceful but always passionate. I highly recommend the song when you have a moment to yourself, or with a lover. This is Coltrane at his finest.
For those who are more spiritually inclined, I recommend his album A Love Supreme. Honestly, I could dedicate a separate article to this album. It’s just that good. The album is divided into four parts: “Acknowledgement,” “Resolution,” “Pursuance,” “Psalm.” I will draw your attention to “Part III – Pursuance.” The first minute and thirty seconds features a mesmerising drum solo. The song becomes increasingly free-flowing, as if the ground beneath which the musicians are standing is about to dissolve. Coltrane saw this album as a musical representation of his spiritual pursuit of God in spite of his personal struggle with drug addiction. McCoy Tyner, the piano player on the album, tells of the freedom that the album allowed for in musical experimentation. If you are seeking a transcendent experience, you won’t be disappointed.
For the more adventurous types (if there is not enough adventure already), you might like Coltrane’s collaborations with Miles Davis, another towering figure in jazz, and his experimentations with cool jazz. You can listen to “So What” from Davis’ album Kind of Blue (Legacy Edition) with its syncopated rhythmic motive at first played only on the piano by Bill Evans who is later joined by the other instrumentalists. This intro is followed by a descending walking bassline and alternating solos, with Cannonball Adderley’s enthralling solo on alto saxophone. There is also “Milestones” from the album Milestones which is peppy and upbeat but not quite bebop, a fast and dynamic style in jazz that showcases the inventiveness of each of the musicians. I guarantee this song will get you moving. Either one of these songs is a good pick.
There are so many other songs by Coltrane that I could discuss. Here are a few honourable mentions: “Someday My Prince Will Come” (yes, the one from Snow White!), “Tenor Madness – Rudy Van Gelder Remaster,” “Lazy Mae – Instrumental” (Red Garland Quintet with John Coltrane), and “They Say It’s Wonderful.” There’s nothing like listening to Trane yourself! I took inspiration for the ‘My Music’ series from previous editors Ryan Ng and Sam Rabinovitch of Obiter Dicta. I am glad to be contributing to this series in their footsteps and I look forward to continuing to share the music that I love with the Osgoode community! More to come!