The Classic Jazz Ensemble: The Unparalleled Genius of John Coltrane, His Legacy and the 1965 Classic ‘A Love Supreme’
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Known primarily for his innovative prowess blended with emotional depth, the American jazz saxophonist, composer, and bandleader John Coltrane remains among the exceptional figures who have shaped jazz and 20th-century music. His work ‘A Love Supreme’, recorded at Rudy Van Gelder’s legendary New Jersey studio on a clear day of December 9, 1964, is often hailed as his magnum opus. It’s a timeless classic that highlights the quintessential Coltrane quartet with the likes of McCoy Tyner on piano, Jimmy Garrison on double bass, and Elvin Jones on drums.
‘A Love Supreme’ didn’t just adorn his Impulse period but also raised the yardstick of jazz music, achieving new heights of expression. The album is religious in its intent, reflecting Coltrane’s triumph over addiction—an aspect he subtly hints at in a liner note where he marks his “spiritual awakening” in 1957. However, he doesn’t mention his intense collaboration with the acclaimed pianist Thelonious Monk, which significantly contributed to his artistic recovery and restored focus. Predating his shift towards avant-garde jazz, the impactful effect of artists like Miles Davis on Coltrane’s music is evident in this period.
The brilliance of ‘A Love Supreme’ is immediately evident in the opening track, “Acknowledgement,” with its solemn aura. Its rhythmic foundation, underpinned by the four-note “A Love Supreme” motif on bass by Garrison, is incredibly impactful and dynamic. True to his style, Coltrane sprinkles magical tenor sax solos, which gradually evolve into a sea of turbulent notes. The interplay is so virtuosic that it seems to have descended from the heavens. The sheer intensity soon breaks into an all-too-familiar melody as he hums “a love supreme” over the groove; it’s an engrossing opening act, setting precedence for the tracks that follow.
With a Trane composition as compelling as “Resolution” that follows, you’re drawn into a universe of boundless musical exploration. It is a midtempo swing piece drenched in Coltrane’s authoritative melodic themes. The swift “Pursuance” is nothing short of musical excellence with Jones’ drumming and Garrison’s passionate bass solo. The album concludes with “Psalm”— a mesmerizing piece that radiates tranquility, inducing a profound sense of mindfulness in the listener.
By 1964, Coltrane’s iconic sound had significantly evolved, venturing into “modal jazz” and deviating from his early roots of bebop and hard bop. This transformation is brilliantly captured in ‘A Love Supreme’, his adventurous spirit mirroring the audaciously daring innovations of musicians like Alice Coltrane, his second wife, who also had a profound influence on his work.
Though Coltrane’s life and musical journey was cut short by liver cancer in 1967, his potent influence continues to shape the jazz landscape even to this day. His illustrious oeuvre is testament to the indelible changes he brought about in just under a decade from 1957. From hard bop to free jazz, Coltrane’s genius cannot be enclosed in a single genre. His music continues to inspire a plethora of artists like Archie Shepp and Art Davis, making ‘A Love Supreme’ more than just an album—it’s a testament of a life dedicated to the power and beauty of music.
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