American tenor saxophonist who expanded the possibilities of improvisation in a short life, from the intricate harmony of Giant Steps to the spirituality of A Love Supreme and, late in life, free jazz.
Recommended recordings
Giant Steps (John Coltrane) (1959, Giant Steps / Atlantic): The title track races at speed over harmony that modulates widely. It is also known as a study piece for jazz players.
My Favorite Things (Richard Rodgers) (1961, My Favorite Things / Atlantic): The title track, a long improvisation on soprano saxophone. The recording that turned a musical's song into a jazz landmark.
A Love Supreme (John Coltrane) (1964, A Love Supreme / Impulse!): A four-part suite expressing thanks to God. It is Coltrane's best-known work and shows his spirituality most clearly.