This year, as a 60-turning-61 white man, I am going to highlight African Americans that have had some kind of influence in my life. Some are famous, some are friends, and others are just people. #blackhistorymonth
February 1st - John Coltrane
I am a part-time professional jazz musician. The first truly influential musician I followed and studied was this man who died when I was three. I devoured Giant Steps, and then bought many, many other albums. I loved Lush Life, Blue Train, My Favorite Things, and several albums made with others, like John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman, Mies Davis Kind of Blue, Cannonball & Coltrane, Miles and Coltrane…
A Love Supreme blew my mind.
I never really got into the music after A Love Supreme, but what an opus of work. I love his sound on tenor. I tried to learn the solo for Giant Steps when I was in high school. I consider the solo on the alternate take of Countdown the pinnacle of hard bop improv.
The man had his demons; he had a serious heroin habit. However, when he successfully kicked that habit, he started constant practicing. The difference in the technique in 1958 and 1961 is amazing and apparent, and it was pretty amazing beforehand.
I admired his driven purpose to be the absolute best saxophone player he could be.
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