John William Coltrane was born September 23, 1926, in Hamlet, North Carolina. Born into a tumultuous era of segregation, Coltrane was lucky enough to enjoy a relatively privileged life. But tragedy struck the family, and all male, income-earning members of the immediate family died within the same year. This left the family destitute, and both Coltrane’s mother and aunt were forced into low-paying jobs. In these troubled times, Coltrane turned to music with great intensity.
Moving to Philadelphia in June 1943, Coltrane was soon drafted into the navy. Never leaving his love of music, Coltrane took part in the existing naval band and even released several recordings during this time. They covered mostly contemporary bebop names such as Tadd Dameron, Charlie Parker, and others.
Coltrane was relieved of his naval duties in 1946 and went on to join Dizzy Gillespie’s band a few years later. He weathered many storms with this ever-changing band but eventually left in 1951, acquiring his heroin addiction around the same time. He bounced around bands until 1955 when he received a call from Miles Davis.
Coltrane jumped at the chance to work with an innovative jazz mind such as Davis. Their professional relationship lasted until 1957, and it was a great time of growth for Coltrane as an artist. It was also a time of personal growth. Although dates are not known for sure, it is believed Coltrane swore off heroin for good in early 1957.
With the drugs out of his life Coltrane focused all his energy and attention on his music. Perfecting his fast, frenzied style, he teamed up for a prosperous three years with Thelonious Monk. Coltrane finally formed his own band in 1960.
For the next seven years, Coltrane recorded his music to great success. In the process, he fundamentally changed the way people thought about the jazz genre and the saxophone in general. His later works, widely considered his most experimental, sparked rumors that perhaps Coltrane was experimenting with LSD. Whatever the culprit, some revered the work as the absolute cutting edge of modern music while others dismissed it as little less than cacophony.
Whatever might be said of Coltrane, no one can deny his influence. Musicians such as The Byrds, Jimi Hendrix, Jerry Garcia, Carlos Santana, The Doors, and OutKast all cite Coltrane as an inspiration and influence. Coltrane was honored posthumously with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1992.
Since 1971, Saint John Coltrane African Orthodox Church of San Francisco elevated Coltrane to the level of saint. They even incorporate his lyrics into their various prayers.
Coltrane married once to Alice Macleod on August 4, 1964. They were married until his death on July 17, 1967. Coltrane passed away in Huntington, Long Island, New York, from liver cancer. He had two children with Macleod, one of which is currently a revered saxophonist in his own right.
YUDDY
