John Coltrane Essay - 5593 Words

quot;Ive got to keep experimenting. I feel that Im just beginning. I have part of what Im looking for in my grasp, but not all.amp;quot; This phrase, from the liner notes of quot;My Favorite Thingsquot; clearly defines Coltranes life and his search for the incorporation of his spirituality with his music. John Coltrane was not only an essential contributor to jazz, but also music itself. John Coltrane died thirty-two years ago, on July 17, 1967, at the age of forty. In the years since, his influence has only grown, and the stellar avant-garde saxophonist has become a jazz legend of a stature shared only by Louis Armstrong and Charlie Parker. As an instrumentalist Coltrane was technically and imaginatively equal to both;†¦show more content†¦Shortly after, he moved to Haig Point, North Carolina to live with his mothers father, the Reverend Walter Blaire. Walter Blaire would later on be a significant influence on Coltranes music and spirituality. Coltranes father, a tailor, served to be a source of Coltranes interest in music through his fathers ability to play the clarinet, violin, and various other instrument s. Furthermore, Coltranes mother studied music. Both of Coltranes grandfathers were ministers; and through their worship services, Coltrane began to build his roots. Johns first encounters with music were through his father who played various instruments such as the violin, clarinet and ukulele. Other early influences included the religious music and preaching at his grandfathers community church. In 1938, his grandfather died and soon after, so did his father. At this time, Coltrane listened to the radio, which provided him with music by artists that would later become influences for his own music. These artists included Woody Herman, Lester Young, Johnny Hodges and Artie Shaw. At the age of 15, Coltrane began playing and studying the E-flat alto horn, the clarinet, and the saxophone at William Penn High School Orchestra, while listening to such artists as Woody Herman, Lester Young, and Thelonious Monk. It was in high school when John had his first girlfriend. Johns friend Frankli n was interested in one girl, but John stole her away with hisShow MoreRelatedEssay on John Coltrane1679 Words   |  7 Pages John Coltrane: An Experimental Musician Jazz, which evolved from African American folk music, has developed and changed over the last century to become an art form in America. It places particular importance on inventive self interpretation. Rather than relying on a written piece, the artist improvises. Jazz has taken many forms over the past seventy years; there is almost always a single person who can be credited with the evolution of that sound. From Thelonius Monk, and his bebop, to Dizzy Gillespie’sRead MoreEssay on John Coltrane914 Words   |  4 PagesJohn Coltrane John Coltrane was born on September 23, 1926, in Hamlet, North Carolina. This particular day had important astrological significance. It was the day of the autumn equinox, one of only two days through the year where night and day are perfectly equal (Fraim 7). Shortly after his birth, Coltranes family moved to High Point, North Carolina. He lived in a nice neighborhood sharing a house with his mom and dad, aunt and uncle and cousin, and his grandparents, the Blairs (7)Read More Spirituality and John Coltrane Essay3937 Words   |  16 PagesSpirituality and John Coltrane After being fired from Miles Daviss band in 1957 for his chronic use of heroin, John Coltrane was hurt tremendously. He decided it was time he quit using heroin. He took a month off from music while he went cold turkey. During this month in the early spring of 1957, Coltrane had a momentous religious experience (Nisenson, 40). Coltrane asked God to give him the means and privilege to make others happy through music (Coltrane, 1995, 2). As timeRead MoreJohn Coltrane Essay1579 Words   |  7 PagesJohn Coltrane John Coltrane Jazz, taking its roots in African American folk music, has evolved, metamorphosed, and transposed itself over the last century to become a truly American art form. More than any other type of music, it places special emphasis on innovative individual interpretation. Instead of relying on a written score, the musician improvises. For each specific period or style through which jazz has gone through over the past seventy years, there is almost always a single personRead MoreWhat Makes John Coltrane?2416 Words   |  10 Pagessee the light in this complicated world of ours. One of the many people in this world who have experienced this enlightenment is John Coltrane. What makes this man special is that he like many others started out life with no path he only lived in the moment not thinking about how he can leave his mark on the world. However unlike the majority of the population Coltrane midway through his life realised he needed to make a change in the world and that the way he would do it would be through his musicRead MoreJohn Coltrane : A Legendary Saxophonist1028 Words   |  5 PagesJohn Coltrane John Coltrane is noted as a legendary saxophonist. His career was brief, controversial yet noted among the most important figure in Jazz. He grew up playing the clarinet and eventually changed to the alto and tenor saxophone. He was not only a musician, but he was also a composer. He endured the loss of several influential men at a young age. Throughout his musical career, he played in many bands including quartets, quintets and sextets. He played alongside many great musicians duringRead MoreJohn Coltrane1566 Words   |  7 Pagesmusic and also jazz musicians. Among these musicians, is John Coltrane, considered one of the greatest jazz saxophonists and composers of all time. He was also one of the most important and influential musicians of the twentieth century. John William Coltrane was born in Hamlet, North Carolina on September 23, 1926. Moving from Hamlet as an infant, Coltrane grew up in High Point, North Carolina, where most of his family lived. John had a very rough life as a kid due to the fact that he grewRead MoreCry - Alvin Ailey Essay780 Words   |  4 Pagesspecific detail in order to portray the intent as well as possible. For example, in this work there are three distinct sections and for each new section, there is a new song that is played. The songs used in this work are ‘Something About John Coltrane’ by Alice Coltrane, ‘Been On A Train’ by Laura Nyro and ‘Right On. Be Free.’ by The Voices Of East Harlem. In a couple of these songs the word ‘north’ is used quite a bit. My personal interpretation is that these slaves perhaps saw freedom and/or refugeRead MoreThe Influence Of Jazz Music2019 Words   |  9 Pagesthe musician (Larson 2). John Coltrane was one of many mus icians that used jazz as this medium. Through his early works in the bebop and hard bop styles to free form and more spiritual styled music later in his career, Coltrane pursued deeper expression from his music (Wikipedia). John Coltrane’s upbringing and early interest in music led to a successful career of highly innovative works that have left a lasting legacy and influence on the jazz community. John William Coltrane was born September 23Read MoreMy Best Abilities The Beginning Of Coltrane s Alabama With King s Speech1557 Words   |  7 Pagesbeginning of Coltrane s Alabama with King s speech. Hearing a recording of the two overlapping is much more obvious but you can still see how some of the words can fit into the rhythms Coltrane played. I personally believe Coltrane did this on purpose. Of course, we have no way of know but there are some points in the speech and music where it lines up so well that it s unmistakable. There are also parts that do not mix well together, some of which you can see above but maybe Coltrane did that on