Biography
John Coltrane (September 23, 1926 – July 17, 1967) was an American jazz saxophonist, bandleader, and composer, widely regarded as one of the most influential and innovative musicians in jazz history. Born in Hamlet, North Carolina, and raised in High Point, Coltrane was exposed to music early through his family and began playing clarinet and later saxophone during his youth. After graduating high school, he moved to Philadelphia in 1943 to pursue music studies and soon made his professional debut, performing with local bands and eventually joining the U.S. Navy band during World War II.[1][2][3][5]
Coltrane's career developed rapidly in the postwar years as he played with jazz luminaries such as Dizzy Gillespie, Earl Bostic, and Johnny Hodges. His major breakthrough came as a member of Miles Davis's quintet in the mid-1950s, where he contributed to the development of modal jazz, notably on the landmark album 'Kind of Blue.' After overcoming struggles with addiction, Coltrane embarked on a prolific solo career, recording seminal albums such as 'Giant Steps,' 'My Favorite Things,' and the spiritually charged 'A Love Supreme.' His work pushed the boundaries of jazz, incorporating complex harmonies, modal improvisation, and later, the avant-garde elements of free jazz.[1][2][4][6]
Coltrane's legacy extends far beyond his lifetime; he led at least fifty recording sessions and collaborated with many of the era's greatest musicians. His relentless pursuit of innovation and spiritual expression in music has inspired generations of artists across genres. Posthumously, he has received numerous honors, including a special Pulitzer Prize, and remains a towering figure in both jazz and 20th-century music.[2][3]
Fun Facts
- Coltrane's rapid-fire improvisational style was dubbed 'sheets of sound' by critics, reflecting his ability to play dense, cascading runs of notes.[3]
- He was posthumously canonized as a saint by the African Orthodox Church, a rare honor for a jazz musician.[2]
- Coltrane's soprano saxophone rendition of 'My Favorite Things' became a commercial hit and a jazz standard, despite being a reimagining of a Broadway tune.[6]
- He overcame a serious heroin addiction in the late 1950s, which he credited with sparking a spiritual awakening that deeply influenced his later music.[1][4]
Associated Acts
- Dexter Culbertson's U.S. Navy Band - alto saxophone (1946–1946)
- Dizzy Gillespie and His Orchestra - alto saxophone (1949–1950)
- Dizzy Gillespie Sextet - alto saxophone (1950–1951)
- Dizzy Gillespie Sextet - tenor saxophone (1950–1951)
- Gay Crosse & The Good Humor Six - alto saxophone (1952–1952)
- Gay Crosse & The Good Humor Six - tenor saxophone (1952–1952)
- Johnny Hodges and His Orchestra - tenor saxophone (1954–1954)
- Miles Davis Quintet - tenor saxophone (1955–1961)
- Elmo Hope Sextet - tenor saxophone (1956–1956)
- The Prestige All Stars - tenor saxophone (1956–1957)
- Art Blakey Big Band - tenor saxophone (1957-12–1957-12)
- The Red Garland Quintet - tenor saxophone (1957–1957)
- Thelonious Monk Septet - tenor saxophone (1957–1957)
- Thelonious Monk Quartet - tenor saxophone (1957–1957)
- Miles Davis Sextet - tenor saxophone (1958-01–1960-04)
- George Russell Orchestra - tenor saxophone (1958-09–1958-09)
- Cecil Taylor Quintet - tenor saxophone (1958–1958)
- John Coltrane Quartet - eponymous, soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone (1959–1965)
- John Coltrane Trio - eponymous, saxophone
- John Coltrane Quintet - eponymous, soprano saxophone
- John Coltrane Quintet - eponymous, tenor saxophone
- John Coltrane Sextet - eponymous, soprano saxophone
- John Coltrane Sextet - eponymous, tenor saxophone
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Miles Davis - Band leader and stylistic influence; Coltrane played in Davis's quintet and learned modal jazz approaches. (Kind of Blue, Milestones) [1955-1960]
- Thelonious Monk - Band leader and harmonic mentor; Coltrane played in Monk's quartet and absorbed advanced harmonic concepts. (Thelonious Monk with John Coltrane (album), live performances) [1957]
- Earl Bostic - Early employer and technical influence; Coltrane played in Bostic's band and learned about saxophone technique. (Touring and recordings as sideman) [late 1940s]
Key Collaborators
- Miles Davis - Bandmate; Coltrane was tenor saxophonist in Davis's quintet and sextet. (Kind of Blue, Milestones, Round About Midnight) [1955-1960]
- McCoy Tyner - Pianist in the classic John Coltrane Quartet. (A Love Supreme, My Favorite Things, Crescent) [1960-1965]
- Elvin Jones - Drummer in the classic John Coltrane Quartet. (A Love Supreme, Impressions, Crescent) [1960-1965]
- Jimmy Garrison - Bassist in the classic John Coltrane Quartet. (A Love Supreme, Crescent, Live at Birdland) [1961-1965]
- Eric Dolphy - Multi-instrumentalist and frequent collaborator in Coltrane's early 1960s groups. (Live at the Village Vanguard, Olé Coltrane) [1961-1962]
- Alice Coltrane - Second wife and pianist in Coltrane's later ensembles. (Expression, Stellar Regions) [1966-1967]
Artists Influenced
- Pharoah Sanders - Coltrane mentored and featured Sanders in his late-period groups; Sanders continued Coltrane's free jazz innovations. (Ascension, Meditations) [mid-1960s]
- Ravi Coltrane - Coltrane's son, inspired by his father's legacy and musical approach. (Ravi Coltrane's solo albums) [1990s-present]
- Michael Brecker - Cited Coltrane as a primary influence on his saxophone style and improvisational approach. (Brecker's solo and group work) [1970s-2000s]
- Wayne Shorter - Inspired by Coltrane's harmonic and modal innovations. (Shorter's work with Miles Davis and Weather Report) [1960s-2010s]
- Carlos Santana - Rock guitarist influenced by Coltrane's spiritual and modal explorations. (Santana's fusion albums) [1970s-present]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Duke Ellington & John Coltrane | 1963-02 | Album |
| John Coltrane And Johnny Hartman | 1963-01-01 | Album |
| Kind Of Blue | 1959-08-17 | Album |
| Giant Steps (Mono) | 1960 | Album |
| My Favorite Things (Deluxe Edition) | 1961 | Album |
| A Love Supreme | 1965-02 | Album |
| Coltrane Jazz | 1961-02 | Album |
| Blue Train | 1957-11-01 | Album |
| Coltrane's Sound | 1964-06 | Album |
| Blue Train (Expanded Edition) | 1958 | Album |
| Giant Steps (60th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition) [2020 Remaster] | 2020-09-18 | Album |
| My Favorite Things | 1961 | Album |
| Tenor Madness | 1956 | Album |
Top Tracks
- In A Sentimental Mood (Duke Ellington & John Coltrane)
- Blue in Green (feat. John Coltrane & Bill Evans) (Kind Of Blue (Legacy Edition))
- My One And Only Love (John Coltrane And Johnny Hartman)
- My Little Brown Book (Duke Ellington & John Coltrane)
- So What (feat. John Coltrane, Cannonball Adderley & Bill Evans) (Kind Of Blue (Legacy Edition))
- Naima - Mono (Giant Steps (Mono))
- Milestones (feat. John Coltrane, Cannonball Adderley, Red Garland, Paul Chambers & Philly Joe Jones) (Milestones)
- 'Round Midnight (feat. John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers & Philly Joe Jones) ('Round About Midnight)
- My Favorite Things (My Favorite Things (Deluxe Edition))
- I'll Wait and Pray (Coltrane Jazz)
External Links
Tags: #american, #avant-garde-jazz, #free-jazz
References
Heard on WWOZ
John Coltrane has been played 48 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station. Showing the 10 most recent plays.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 9, 2026 | 18:48 | Easy To Lovefrom High Step | Jazz from Jax Breweryw/ Charles Burchell | |
| Jan 8, 2026 | 16:20 | Afro Bluefrom Very Best Of John Coltrane | Jazz from Jax Breweryw/ Keith Hill | |
| Jan 7, 2026 | 18:00 | the feeling of jazzfrom duke ellington and john | Jazz from Jax Breweryw/ Al Colón | |
| Jan 7, 2026 | 06:02 | Welcomefrom The Gentle Side of John Coltrane | The Morning Setw/ Breaux Bridges | |
| Jan 5, 2026 | 08:31 | Wise Onefrom Crescent | The Morning Setw/ Stuart Hall | |
| Dec 31, 2025 | 05:58 | Welcomefrom The Gentle Side of John Coltrane | Over Night Musicw/ D Rootzmaster, 3am - 6am | |
| Dec 29, 2025 | 22:00 | My One And Only Love | Kitchen Sinkw/ Derrick Freeman | |
| Dec 25, 2025 | 18:46 | Resolutionfrom Love Supreme | Jazz from Jax Breweryw/ Keith Hill | |
| Dec 25, 2025 | 06:01 | Welcomefrom The Gentle Side of John Coltrane | The Morning Setw/ Scott Borne | |
| Dec 24, 2025 | 06:04 | Welcomefrom The Gentle Side of John Coltrane | The Morning Setw/ Breaux Bridges |