Coltrane, a Biography

by Cuthbert Ormond Simpkins

Book Overview

During his lifetime John Coltrane, through music, moved many people to more meaningful lives. Coltrane: A Biography captures the feeling and facts of Coltrane's life and music. It places Coltrane's... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0933121202
• ISBN13: 9780933121201
• Release Date: September 1988
• Publisher: Black Classic Press
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 1.01 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Beautiful, Poetic Biography Based on Solid Truth - I was there

May I take this opportunity to assure every reader of this fine biography of John Coltrane that it is hundred percent true what the author researched and compiled to write about this great musician. How do I know? Because this wonderful author took me (his little 12 year old wide-eyed sister who knew nothing about jazz at that time) to meet the very people John Coltrane performed with, grew up with and I had the honour of meeting Coltrane's beautiful 1st wife, Naima. Just to make clear to the comment made by the reader from Rye, there is no "utter nonsense" nor did the author use his "imagination" to write about Coltrane. He went on sabbatical to travel all around the US, spending all his savings whilst meeting the very people who knew Coltrane since his childhood. He published the book on his own, Herndon Publishing after a New York publisher ran off with his payment and was no where to be found. He believed in what he was doing and took the risk whilst others felt he was wasting money and time. I recall even Duke Ellington told my brother, "You should be writing about me!" My brother was so dedicated and committed to portray Coltrane's life not solely on his musical gift to us but also his human spirit in his growing years,which is often overlooked in other biographies. This book is priceless and its author deeply admired by many readers and critics. I thank him so much for taking me with him to meet other people who knew Coltrane - an experience I shall always treasure. I hope all you readers will appreciate with every turn of the page, you are reading every truth and heartfelt emotion from people who knew Coltrane long before the world knew him.

A colorful portrayal of this incredible man and musician

This is a book for those of us who find something majestic in John Coltrane's music. Simpkins does well in carrying the reader through Coltrane's life, starting with his childhood, and finishing with his death. Even though the author seems to show great excitement in telling us Coltrane's story, he fails to fully backup his research, reciting quotations from Coltrane's childhood which for all we know, could be utter nonsense and simply the author's imagination taking over to make the story more interesting. Additionally, the author, in this humble critics opinion, might have done better by perhaps discussing Coltrane's relationships with both Miles Davis and heroin, rather than attempting to verbally describe his music in many sections of the book, a feat that even Shakespeare would be unable to perform. Nevertheless, it is a book which most Coltrane enthusiasts should pick up at one point or another to fully appreciate the roots of Coltrane's music!!!! -Bravo, Mr. Simpkins

Captures the spirit of the music and the dignity of the man

Simpkins' "Coltrane" is an insightful narrative of the life of the jazz giant. Mr. Simpkins convincingly informs us and clearly captures the unique spirit of this music and time; Eloquently portrays the dignity and character of the man. A wonderful effort at defining the mystique surrounding John Coltrane.