|
John
Coltrane was, after Charlie Parker , the most revolutionary and widely imitated
saxophonist in jazz. Coltrane grew up in High Point, North Carolina, where he
learned to play E-flat alto horn, clarinet, and (at about the age of 15) alto
saxophone.
After
moving to Philadelphia he enrolled at the Ornstein School of Music and the Granoff
Studios; service in a navy band in Hawaii (1945-46) interrupted these studies.
He played alto saxophone in the bands led by Joe Webb and King Kolax, then changed
to the tenor to work with Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson (1947-48). He performed on
either instrument as circumstances demanded while in groups led by Jimmy Heath,
Howard McGhee, Dizzy Gillespie (with whom he made his first recording in 1949),
Earl Bostic, and lesser-known rhythm-and-blues musicians, but by the time of his
membership in Johnny Hodges's septet (1953-54) he was firmly committed to the
tenor instrument. He performed infrequently for about a year, then leaped to fame
in Miles Davis ' quintet with Red Garland, Paul Chambers, and Philly Joe Jones
(1955-57).
To
Learn More CLICK HERE
|
