My love of jazz began with John Coltrane

“One positive thought produces millions of positive vibrations.” –John Coltrane

I recently saw “Chasing Trane: The John Coltrane Documentary.” The film chronicles the life and career of the American jazz saxophonist and composer John Coltrane, including rare performance clips and interviews with his family, friends, and fans. The actor Denzel Washington is featured, as he reads excerpts from interviews conducted with the artist. 

"Chasing Trane"

While watching the movie, I was reminded of how and why I first became a jazz enthusiast and admirer of Coltrane. It was my freshman year of college, and a friend in my dorm played various rock and jazz loudly with his door open. I’d often wander down the hall and listen. He introduced me to several acts, but the one that stood out most was “Trane.”
 
I was immediately taken with the music. My tastes at that point leaned toward “Top 40,” so Coltrane’s work was something completely different. It spoke to me in a way that most radio hits didn’t. His saxophone sounded more like a voice – sometimes it whispered, other times it wailed. It’s that connection to Coltrane and other jazz artists that continues to keep me interested and engaged in the music.

Coltrane was the first jazz musician whose work I purchased, and that initial buy was 1958’s “Blue Train.” I knew nothing of the album, but I was drawn to the artwork. It features a photo of Coltrane leaning back on his arm. He has a pensive look and part of his instrument can be seen. Keeping with the album’s title, the picture has an aqua blue tint. It’s one of my favorite images, and I have the poster.  ​​

I remember the first time I played the album – I was absolutely captivated, and I played it two or three times in its entirety. I especially enjoy the title track as it opens with a three-part harmonization of Coltrane’s sax, Lee Morgan’s trumpet, and Curtis Fuller’s trombone. This unified sound continues for nearly 40 seconds before the tune lets lose and roars to its conclusion 10 minutes later. I also appreciate the third number “I’m Old Fashioned.” It’s the only ballad on the album and it shows a softer, slower side of Coltrane and his ensemble.

 “Blue Train”

I've purchased several other Coltrane albums over the years, including “Giant Steps,” “My Favorite Things,” “Ballads,” “Interstellar Space” and what is widely regarded as one of the greatest jazz albums of all-time, “A Love Supreme.” But “Blue Train” is the one that means the most to me as I think of it as my introduction to both this artist and the genre of jazz. 
 
There are, of course, a great many jazz musicians and styles. I'm fond of Coltrane, but you may prefer others. One of the great aspects of the “information age” is an infinite amount of sounds are easily accessible via music and video streaming platforms like Spotify, Pandora, YouTube, etc. I, therefore, urge you to explore the genre if you haven’t before. A friend introduced me to something special years ago, and I’d like to do the same for others.