John Coltrane

John Coltrane John Coltrane was born in Hamlet, North Carolina on September 23, 1926, and grew up in High Point, North Carolina attending William Penn High School.He enlisted in the Navy in 1945, and played in the Navy jazz band once he was stationed in Hawaii.While in the Navy, Coltrane began playing jazz with other musicians in the Navy jazz band.Coltrane returned to civilian life in 1946 and began to study jazz theory.Early Beginnings

A picture of a young John Coltrane when he was enlisted in the United States Navy. This is when he began to take interest in Jazz music.Sailor

Coltranes jazz development started when he saw Charlie Parker perform live on June 5th, 1945.This performance inspired John Coltrane to take his saxophone abilities to the next level.Charlie ParkerJazz DevelopmentColtrane hit it big while he was freelancing down in Phildelphia in 1955 when he received a phone call from famous trumpeter, Miles Davis.Davis asked Coltrane to join his quintet (later would be referred to as the first great quintet

Hitting it BigColtrane playing alongside Miles Davis In 1955

After playing with Miles quintet, Coltrane then joined pianist Thelonious Monks quintet in 1957Thelonious Monk was renowned in the jazz scene for his complex arrangenments.

Other CollaborationsAfter a second stint with Miles Davis, John Coltrane decided to be the leader of his own jazz group in 1960.Some of Coltranes most famous recordings came out of this period.

Going SoloGiant Steps is one of Coltranes most famous recordings. His groundbreaking solos on this track revolutionized the way musicians look at constructing solos.John Coltranes solos featured a unique music theory.John Coltrane would descend notes in major thirds over irregular chords of a II-V-I substitution. This Style can be heard on Giant Steps.

Coltrane Changes Theory

After an illustrious career, Coltrane died from liver cancer at Huntington Hospital on Long Island on July 17, 1967, at the age of 40Coltrane was a known user of alcohol and heroin.Even 50 years after his death, Coltranes legacy lives on. He is regarded as one of the best tenor saxophonists to have ever lived.Death and LegacyThe EndGiant StepsJohn Coltranenull287132.03