John Coltrane: A Love Supreme

Presentation by Aaron Labin

John Coltrane

• • • • Career lasted only 12 years Gained recognition while playing with Miles Davis from ’55 to ’60 Formed own quartet in ’60 Died in ’67 at age 40

John Coltrane

• • Played with legends – Miles Davis – – – Charlie Parker Thelonious Monk Cannonball Adderley Influenced by – Stan Getz – Sidney Bechet

John Coltrane

• • • “A Love Supreme” was recorded in December, 1964 Released in 1965 Remastered edition released in 2002 as 2 CD set

John Coltrane

• • • “A Love Supreme” was comprised of a 4 part “suite” An ode to his faith and love of God His most famous work

John Coltrane

• • • • “Part 1: Acknowledgement” Listening guide provided Album receives name from song with the vocal melody at 6:07 The song you hear now

John Coltrane

• • • • • • “Part 2: Resolution” Starts with a :20 bass solo :21 gives you a total immersion from the band; smooth and round 1:45 piano solo accompanied with drum and bass 3:55 sax comes smoothly back; original melody repeated and improvised 7:19 song ends

John Coltrane

• • • • • “Part 3: Pursuance” Song starts with a 1:30 chaotic drum solo At 1:30 sax comes in with the melody from Part 1; the entire band incorporates Chord progressive piano solo at 1:55 that showcases McCoy Tyner’s talent Violent reintegration of sax at 4:15 that expands every high and low note on the instrument

John Coltrane

• • • • • “Part 3: Pursuance”, cont’d 7:00 Coltrane returns to the original melody 7:17 sax fades out to another drum solo 7:48 bass solo 10:41 end

John Coltrane

• • • • • “Part 4: Psalm” Coincides with a poem he wrote to God Coltrane said “I recited the poem to God through my saxophone” Song starts with sax smoother than silk; drums and piano accompany 1:45 bass joins in

John Coltrane

• • • • • “Part 4: Psalm”, cont’d 2:55 sax begins to touch on higher range Time is only kept by cymbals and piano 6:41 sax and piano dissolve and only drum is left 7:01 end

John Coltrane

“A Love Supreme”