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’s
John Coltrane After being fired from Miles Davis's 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 time went on, Coltrane felt that
John 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, Coltrane's 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). Even
John Coltrane was a jazz saxophonist from 1955 to 1967. He was born in Hamlet, North Carolina on September 23, 1926. A few years later he moved to Highpoint, North Carolina.(D) As a child he was surrounded by a musical family. When he turned thirteen he started to play the alto saxophone. 1939 was a life changing year for Coltrane because his father, uncle, and grandparents died.(C) In the middle of that same year he graduated from grammar school.(D) Sadly when his family started to split and go
The legendary saxophonist John Coltrane made a lasting impression in North American jazz music by pioneering a new subgenre known as “modal jazz.” By examining Coltrane’s personal life, professional career, evolving style of music, and his legacy that endures to this day, one can better understand the importance of this individual’s contribution to American culture and reflect upon his creative genius. On September 23, 1926, John Coltrane was born in Hamlet, North Carolina, to a family of ministers
well as in a less direct manner, coming through in his current actions, to show his sovereignty, what that means to him and why. The initial flashback scene displays a memory of Pistol's concerning Sir John Falstaff (portrayed by actor Robbie Coltrane). The flashback occurs while Falstaff is on his deathbed, and his remaining friends lament his impending loss. Branagh gives Pistol a line of Falstaff's, describing Falstaff in his own words as "A goodly, portly man, in faith," (1 Henry IV. II. iv
Coltrane had always had a gift for music and he would constantly think of what was next to come in jazz. During Coltrane’s time working with Gillespie, he worked on what he called “sheets of sound” which is when he would try to play every note in every chord. This was tremendously hard to do and he challenged not only himself to do it, but members of his band as well. This is evident in one of his recordings called, “Giant Steps” (Jazzman). This is a sixteen-bar composition that Coltrane wrote himself
impacts can help people everywhere feel more connected to the upcoming of many important musical genres. As many genres have shaped everyday lives of humans, one genre in particular created an amazing musical revolution, jazz. A contributor, John Coltrane, influenced a major innovation in the jazz genre and upbringing. It is thanks to him along with many others, that jazz has become one of the most influential genres that connects people from every culture. New Orleans, the birthplace of the jazz
Saxophones. This led to its unpopular demise in the beginning of its musical journey, but Sidney Betchet believed in its potential as a primarily played saxophone and stood behind, the “underdog” of the saxophone family. In the 1950’s, a man named John Coltrane adopted the instrument, and from there it began to increase popularity and is still a beloved instrument in today’s modern music. The designer of the Soprano Saxophone would be Wayne Shorter, who is an astounding sopranoist. The Soprano Saxophone
to believe I knew everything about The Sound of Music: the plot, the characters, the music, etc. until last Tuesday when we listened to John Coltrane’s incredible jazz improvisation of “My Favorite Things” in the film “The World According to John Coltrane.” Sadly, it was the first time I watched Coltrane’s performance of “My Favorite Things.” I was stunned by his amazing version of my second to favorite song from The Sound of Music. Coltrane’s brilliant playing technique amazed me. When he played
It would be an understatement to say that Miles Dewey Davis III was one of the greatest jazz musicians of all time. Widely considered one of the most revolutionary and influential figures in the history of music of the twentieth century, Miles Davis has played an integral role in shaping the sounds of jazz, one of the few uniquely and entirely American genres. Needless to say, the brilliant artistry that coolly flowed from his trumpet speaks for itself and clearly shows what a phenomenally inventive
tenor saxophone instead of John Coltrane, who at that point in his career decided to go solo and at times work with Miles Davis. The others of the quartet include Ahmed Abdul-Malik on bass, Roy Haynes on drums, and Thelonious Monk himself on the piano. This album is one of Monk’s interesting ones, not only losing one familiar partners but two; the first being John Coltrane and the other being drummer Shadow Wilson, who Monk lost due to poor health. Griffin and Coltrane both had a familiar understanding
Kaley Kenyon Music 362 Research Paper 2 5/3/14 Miles Davis and John Coltrane Miles Davis and John Coltrane are huge in the jazz world. They both have impacted jazz in many ways and are very well-known. Some may even say that they are the greatest jazz musicians that ever lived. They both have won Davis was born Illinois in 1926. He then grew up in East St. Louis where his trumpet career began. His first trumpet was given to him at age 13 and was privately taught by his father’s friend Elwood Buchanan
“So much of the great poetry of America is about the neighborhood, and my first neighborhood was Brooklyn New York and i was born in the same house my mother was born in and delivered by the same man”. Biographies are pointless in the art of poetry, poets need no introduction. Simply sitting and reading gives enough imagination to the reader to interpret meaning, feeling, theme and audience. Blending art forms together seems unmethodical much like jazz. However Michael S Harper, a poet known for
age 33 while his band was done performing at the Slug’s Saloon; a jazz club. There was an issue between him and his “common-law” wife, and she l... ... middle of paper ... ...d with in his lifetime, from Dizzy Gillespie to Art Blakey to John Coltrane. He played with everybody who was anybody! Another thing I found to be interesting was the way he died. He was shot by his common-law wife in the middle of a performance. This means that she was not officially, under any law binding terms, his
talented jazz artists have been put into the spotlight. Duke Ellington, Miriam Anderson, and the very famous John Coltrane. Although Coltrane came later than some of these great acts, he is still known as a pioneer and trailblazer in the jazz industry. Even though now, he is now seen as one of the greats, not everything was always smooth sailing for this legend. John William Coltrane was born in Hamlet, North Carolina on September 23,1926. He lived with his mother and father in his early years. His
Valerie Fong Period 5 John Coltrane Born September 23rd 1926 in Hamlet, North Carolina, John Coltrane is both one the most significant figures in jazz and one of the most controversial figures in jazz. In addition to being a jazz saxophonist, he also made important contributions to jazz as a composer. Starting in December 1938, Coltrane tragically lost his uncle, grandparents, and father all within months of one another, leaving John behind to be raised by his mother, aunt, and a close cousin
Charlie Christian (1916-1942) was the pioneer of the modern jazz guitar style and was the first major soloist on the electric guitar. In his hands the electric guitar became a distinct solo voice; equivalent of the saxophone, trumpet and clarinet, also capable of the same levels of expressiveness and intensity while playing in a jazz ensemble. Before Christian guitarists were un-amplified acoustic musicians who were relegated to strict rhythm-guitar roles in an ensemble. His efforts and genius with
Coleman Hawkins “I think he was the most interesting jazz musician I’ve ever seen in my life. He just looked so authoritative . . . I said, ‘Well, that’s what I want to do when I grow up.’”(DeVeaux, 35) Cannonball Adderley said these words when he first saw Coleman Hawkins with the Fletcher Henderson band at the City Auditorium in Tampa, Florida. Just as Hawkins influenced one of the greatest alto players in history, he has influenced many people to become phenomenal saxophone players. Lester
not even begin to imagine. John Coltrane experienced the death of his father, grandfather, and grandmother (Feinstein 77), but got through it with the help of his saxophone and music in general. He had perseverance and dedication that is very inspiring and impressive in his music. John Coltrane overcame a difficult childhood by learning to play the saxophone, playing a very influential role to jazz music and music today, and becoming a revolutionary musician. Coltrane overcame the tragedy of losing