Coltrane


Celebrate! today is JC's Birthday.

I always start w/ Giant Steps.
128x128jafant
Celebrate indeed! The full significance of that record is not always appreciated. The tune "Giant Steps", and a jazz player's ability to convincingly play over it's harmonic changes, is still one of the main litmus tests for credibility as a modern jazz improviser on any instrument. That tune literally and singlehandedly changed the face and direction of jazz. Amazing!

http://vimeo.com/6428820
a giant step as well for many rock and roll fans into jazz was J.Coltrane's wonderful spiritual style, which was (and remains) so fresh and truly "modern" as well as
historic.
And the next thing you know, you're listening to Monk, Miles, Parker, etc. along
with your Cream and Hendrix albums.