John Coltrane

An analysis of Coltrane's career, drawing on quotes from Coltrane himself, transcriptions of his improvizations, analyses of his music, research into West African religion and Cole's own personal reminiscences of the man, to offer a perspective on Coltrane's music, life and thought.

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John Coltrane (19261967) was one of the most innovative forces in African- American music. By experimenting with new concepts of time, integrating Eastern philosophies into Western music, and exploring multiphonics and other new sounds on his saxophone, he opened avenues of expression that influenced musicians and composers from jazz to rock to avant-garde. }John Coltrane (19261967) was one of the most innovative forces in African- American music. By experimenting with new concepts of time, integrating Eastern philosophies into Western music, and exploring multiphonics and other new sounds on his saxophone, he opened avenues of expression that influenced musicians and composers from jazz to rock to avant-garde.Bill Cole focuses on two aspects of John Coltrane in this provocative study: Coltrane the musician and Coltrane the religious person. Deeply interrelated, both aspects are bound up with Coltrane's identification as an African- American. Coltrane accepted the traditional African belief in the magical powers of sound and connected his music to its African roots via a devout religiosity.
Cole shows how Coltranes influences extended from tribal tone languages to speeches by Martin Luther King, Jr.he even adapted Kings rhythmic inflections into a saxophone solo.Bill Cole offers a lengthy musical analysis of Coltranes career; it also includes a detailed discography with recording data and personnel and over two dozen photographs. Cole draws on quotes from Coltrane himself, transcriptions of his improvisations, analyses of his music, research into West African religion, and his own personal reminiscences of the man, to offer a stimulating perspective on Coltranes music, life, and thought. }