John Coltrane (A Brief Introduction)

My Pick: “My Favorite Things”/Atlantic

Coltrane, like a number of major jazz figures, had several distinct music periods in his career. Very early Coltrane, recordings from bootleg radio broadcasts, finds him playing bop somewhat in the style of Dexter Gordon and Lester Young. 

Then we have some thirty sessions he did for Prestige from 1956 to 1958. The best of this period was not released under Coltrane’s name, but with the Miles Davis Quintet: “Cookin’” (1955), “Workin’” (1956), “Steamin’” (1956), and “Relaxin’” (1956). These are all classic albums, with the young Coltrane starting to show his stuff in a hard-edged bop setting. There is also “Blue Train” (1957), an album Coltrane did for Blue Note. Although an uneven album, every Coltrane fan delights in the title cut -- a classic. All of this period is very listenable. 

Next are the eight or so albums Coltrane did for Atlantic in 1959 and 1960. These really represent the heart of the Coltrane legacy. Although it is popular among jazz critics to promote Coltrane’s later albums on Impulse (in particular “A Love Supreme”), as time passes it is clear that it is the Atlantic material that most people treasure. Although “Giant Steps” (1959) is the critic’s favorite, it is the lovely “My Favorite Things” (1960) that has captured the hearts of the many. In fact, in recent years, even the critics have started to admit what their hearts had told them long ago, that “My Favorite Things” is perhaps the quintessential Coltrane. In fact, in one remarkable week in October of 1960, Coletrane produced what seems the best of his Atlantic material. “My Favorite Things” is perhaps the most listened-to Coltrane album from this period (or any other). Other albums recorded in that eventful week include “Coltrane Jazz” (1959), “Coltrane Plays the Blues” (1960), and “Coletrane’s Sound” (1960). More than a little credit for the overall effect of this music goes to the unforgettable piano of McCoy Tyner, the bass of Steve Davis, and the brilliant drumming of Elvin Jones. This group provides a perfect environment for Coletrane. The seven-CD box from Atlantic, “The Heavyweight Champion -- John Coltrane” collects all of his Atlantic material in one collection -- an incredible listening experience. Again, quite listenable.

Coletrane then began to record for Impulse. From this point forward, his music began to be more out. His years with the Impulse label have produced many albums, of which “A Love Supreme” (1964) marks the high point -- a must hear. Other important albums include “Live at Birdland” (1963)and “Afro-Blue Impressions” (1963). His matchup with singer Johnny Hartman, “John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman”(1963) is another favorite of Coltrane collectors. 

As Coletrane explored the very far edges of out, he produced a number of albums that even critics have labeled as difficult to listen to. The most extreme of these is the album “OM” (1965), supposedly recorded when Coltrane was on LSD. 

As a Sideman: 

• With Miles Davis on “Round About Midnight” (1955), “Kind of Blue”, “Miles & Monk at Newport”, “Someday My Prince Will Come”, and “Circle in the Round”.
• With Cannonball Adderly on “Dreamweavers” and “Quintet in Chicago” (1959).
• With Kenny Burrell on “Cats” (1957) and “Kenny Burrell & John Coltrane” (1958).
• With Sonny Clark on “Sonny’s Crib” (1957).
• With Red Garland on “High Pressure” (1956), “Soul Junction” (1957) and “All Mornin’ Long” (1957).
• With Thelonious Monk on “Thelonious with John Coltrane” (1957).
• With Sonny Rollins on “Tenor Madness” (1956).