Influences - John Coltrane (pt. 1)
Throughout it's 200+ year history, the saxophone has seen many gifted players. Particularly in the 20th century, America produced some of the greatest that the world has ever known. With this post I'd like to share with you some of my picks for the top 5 best saxophonists that are no longer with us. Factors include influence, skill, and their individual influence on my life with their music.
1. John Coltrane
Ah, John Coltrane - where would a list of saxophonists be without him? Born to a religious family in North Carolina, few could have foreseen the immense effect he would have on the world as a musician. I had heard of him in my preteen years but it was not until 9th grade that I was turned on to his music with a greatest hits CD for Christmas. Since then I strove to emulate his accuracy, speed and unorthodox harmonic choices. Another aspect of his playing that caught my attention was his intensity - from his live work to studio albums, he always seemed to have a fire lit under him that gave his playing a sense of urgency and importance that few others could match. Although Coltrane is known for being a very 'modern' and 'advanced' player, his roots in church music and the blues come out in his playing. He frequently used call-and-response figures in his solos and repeated ideas, building on them each time around. These are techniques used in the church to this day to great affect. When I'm playing the saxophone, I'm always thinking of ways to play something a little differently than I did last time to keep it interesting and for that I thank Coltrane.
I leave you with 'Equinox' a modern take on the blues that has become one of his most popular tunes:
Stay tuned for another installment in my series 'Inspirations' where I'll be detailing my musical influences and tastes. Hopefully you will be able to learn and hear something new!
1. John Coltrane
Ah, John Coltrane - where would a list of saxophonists be without him? Born to a religious family in North Carolina, few could have foreseen the immense effect he would have on the world as a musician. I had heard of him in my preteen years but it was not until 9th grade that I was turned on to his music with a greatest hits CD for Christmas. Since then I strove to emulate his accuracy, speed and unorthodox harmonic choices. Another aspect of his playing that caught my attention was his intensity - from his live work to studio albums, he always seemed to have a fire lit under him that gave his playing a sense of urgency and importance that few others could match. Although Coltrane is known for being a very 'modern' and 'advanced' player, his roots in church music and the blues come out in his playing. He frequently used call-and-response figures in his solos and repeated ideas, building on them each time around. These are techniques used in the church to this day to great affect. When I'm playing the saxophone, I'm always thinking of ways to play something a little differently than I did last time to keep it interesting and for that I thank Coltrane.
I leave you with 'Equinox' a modern take on the blues that has become one of his most popular tunes:
Stay tuned for another installment in my series 'Inspirations' where I'll be detailing my musical influences and tastes. Hopefully you will be able to learn and hear something new!
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