Coltrane, John (William)

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US jazz saxophonist. He first came to fame in 1955 with the Miles Davis quintet, later playing with Thelonious Monk in 1957. He was a powerful and individual artist, whose performances featured much experimentation. His 1960s quartet was highly regarded for its innovations in melody and harmony.

Like Charlie Parker, Coltrane marked a watershed in jazz and has been revered by his fans. The free-jazz movement of the 1960s owed much to his extended exploratory solos, for example on ‘Giant Steps’ (1959), the year he traded tenor saxophone for soprano. His first recording with a soprano saxophone was the Rodgers and Hammerstein song ‘My Favorite Things’, which became a jazz hit. A highly original musician, he has been much imitated, but the deeply emotional tone of his playing, for example on ‘A Love Supreme’ (1964), was unique.

The disc represents the full moon, traditionally the most auspicious time for work and celebration. The disc is set towards the hoist. Effective date: 1 January 1981. >>