This is the second of our tributes to saxophonist great John Coltrane who was born 100 years ago on 23 September 1926. Here at Cosmic Jazz, we have been celebrating the life and music of one of the most influential figures in all of jazz. In this second show, we again focus on the breadth of Coltrane’s music – from his take on early standards to his wilder live explorations. We add to this selections from artists who have been directly influenced by his life, beliefs and music . A third show will focus on some surprising influences along with a selection of Coltrane tunes that explore the depth of his astonishing legacy.
1. Norman Connors – Welcome from Slewfoot
As Kevin le Gendre’s sleeve notes record in the Jazzman Trane tribute album from which this (and other) tunes come, few artists produce work that is so moving it’s considered sacred. But not only does Coltrane’s music have a uniquely spiritual dimension, there is even an African Christian church in San Francisco that’s dedicated to his name. Drummer Norman Connors was to achieve much greater fame as a soul funk balladeer but we shouldn’t forget that he began as a drummer with Pharoah Sanders and on this album from 1974 we have more esteemed sidemen including Carlos Garnett on tenor and Gary Bartz on alto, Lonnie Liston Smith on Fender Rhodes with vocals by the great Jean Carn. The album also includes the brilliant Mother of the Future. For their largely Coltrane-focused album in 1973, Santana also covered Coltrane’s Welcome – you can hear it right here.
2. John Coltrane – Blue World (take 1) from Blue World
3. John Coltrane – Africa from the Complete Africa/Brass Sessions
4. Sonny Fortune – Olé from In the Spirit of John Coltrane
5. John Coltrane – Amen (Take 1 Alternate Version) from Sun Ship: The Complete Session
6. Gilles Torrent Jazztet – Terre Engloutie from Terre Engloutie
The influence of Coltrane’s sound has spread far and wide over the years. The little-known Swiss saxophonist Gilles Torrent only picked up the soprano saxophone in his twenties but spent the next eleven years studying Coltrane’s approach. The result can be clearly heard in this superb extended title track from his 1985 album with its echoes of Lonnie’s Lament, My Favorite Things and more. The music’s title actually references the mythical drowned city of Atlantis which seems a suitably Coltrane-like title to choose. Once again, this excellent track appears on the Jazzman tribute compilation but if you can find a copy of the original Terre Engloutie album you’ll be lucky. There are currently two available on Discogs – but at a price.
7. Jack McDuff – Naima from Lift Every Voice and Sing
Our final visit to the excellent Jazzman compilation is another favourite Coltrane tune, Naima. This much-covered composition first appeared on his Giant Steps album, recorded for the Atlantic label in 1959 and featuring the epic title track along with Countdown and Mr. P.C. – both tunes that have become standards in their own right. This perhaps surprising version comes from organist Brother Jack McDuff and dates from 1981. As the title might suggest, the album features a Baptist Church choir but here the funky backbeat and Fender Rhodes from McDuff is augmented by sax and guitar solos to create a rather unexpected but chilled vibe.
8. John Coltrane – Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye from My Favorite Things
Look out for our upcoming third Cosmic Jazz Coltrane special – coming your way soon…
As Kevin le Gendre’s sleeve notes record in the Jazzman Trane tribute album from which this (and other) tunes come, few artists produce work that is so moving it’s considered sacred. But not only does Coltrane’s music have a uniquely spiritual dimension, there is even an African Christian church in San Francisco that’s dedicated to his name. Drummer Norman Connors was to achieve much greater fame as a soul funk balladeer but we shouldn’t forget that he began as a drummer with Pharoah Sanders and on this album from 1974 we have more esteemed sidemen including Carlos Garnett on tenor and Gary Bartz on alto, Lonnie Liston Smith on Fender Rhodes with vocals by the great Jean Carn. The album also includes the brilliant Mother of the Future. For their largely Coltrane-focused album in 1973, Santana also covered Coltrane’s Welcome – you can hear it right here.
The influence of Coltrane’s sound has spread far and wide over the years. The little-known Swiss saxophonist Gilles Torrent only picked up the soprano saxophone in his twenties but spent the next eleven years studying Coltrane’s approach. The result can be clearly heard in this superb extended title track from his 1985 album with its echoes of Lonnie’s Lament, My Favorite Things and more. The music’s title actually references the mythical drowned city of Atlantis which seems a suitably Coltrane-like title to choose. Once again, this excellent track appears on the Jazzman tribute compilation but if you can find a copy of the original Terre Engloutie album you’ll be lucky. There are currently two available on Discogs – but at a price.
Our final visit to the excellent Jazzman compilation is another favourite Coltrane tune, Naima. This much-covered composition first appeared on his Giant Steps album, recorded for the Atlantic label in 1959 and featuring the epic title track along with Countdown and Mr. P.C. – both tunes that have become standards in their own right. This perhaps surprising version comes from organist Brother Jack McDuff and dates from 1981. As the title might suggest, the album features a Baptist Church choir but here the funky backbeat and Fender Rhodes from McDuff is augmented by sax and guitar solos to create a rather unexpected but chilled vibe.