Jazz Legend #7: John Coltrane

Born in Hamlet, North Carolina in 1926,

John Coltrane started playing the saxophone at the age of 13. He joined the Navy in 1945, played in the Navy Jazz Band, and was discharged in 1946. After military service, Coltrane played with various big bands and small groups, including those led by Dizzy Gillespie and Johnny Hodges. In 1955 he joined the Miles Davis Quintet and became known for his distinctive voice and imaginative playing style.

In the late 1950s,

Coltrane formed his own band and began experimenting with more unconventional harmonies and extended forms in his music. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, he was a leading figure with several albums, including Giant Steps (1960) and Olé Coltrane (1961), which marked his departure from traditional jazz forms and established him in the avant-garde movement. leading position in.

Throughout his career,

Coltrane continued to push the boundaries of jazz and was known for his virtuosic playing and relentless exploration of new musical ideas. He passed away in 1967 at the age of 40, but his music continues to inspire and influence musicians and listeners around the world.

Photo source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Coltrane