John Coltrane: His Life and Music

by Lewis Porter

Book Overview

John Coltrane was a key figure in jazz, a pioneer in world music, and an intensely emotional force whose following continues to grow. This new biography, the first by a professional jazz scholar and performer, presents a huge amount of never-before-published material, including interviews with Coltrane, photos, genealogical documents, and innovative musical analysis that offers a fresh view of Coltrane's genius.
Compiled from scratch with the assistance...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0472101617
• ISBN13: 9780472101610
• Release Date: January 1998
• Publisher: University of Michigan Press
• Length: 448 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Can't Stop Reading

Every young jazzer should read and pay attention to the info in Porter's account of Coltrane. The author places you over Coltrane's shoulder and the feeling is enormous and educational

The ultimate Coltrane bio

This is a nearly perfect biography in every way. It is comprehensive, objective, and written with a good understanding and appreciation of Coltrane's music. The tone is scholarly without being too dry -- a difficult balance to achieve. The book is fairly long, providing in-depth coverage of Coltrane's life and music from his early development through his controversial late work. There is a good balance between discussion of his musical and personal development. There are lots of quotes included from people who knew him and worked with him. For non-musicians, the theory and analysis may be intimidating and un-necessary. For musicians, it is good reading, but non-musicians may not understand some parts that deal strictly with music theory. I don't really think there is any way to explain the significane of Contrane's music in any depth without going into this type of explanation, so I cannot count this as criticism. How can one explain the significance of Giant Steps, for example, without describing the innovative harmonic movement by thirds? How can you give a good discussion of Interstellar Space without analyzing specific examples of motivic development? For non-jazz musicians or non-musicians, these parts can probably be skipped when they go over their heads without significant loss to the value of the book, but perhaps they should at least skim through them to get an idea of why Coltrane is such an important figure in jazz history. There is adequate criticism and praise for Coltrane's music from many different, reliable sources included throughout. For example, McCoy Tyner's displeasure with the direction Coltrane took with his groups in the mid-60's is included, along with quotes from people who loved playing with him at that time. Overall, this biography is objective, comprehensive, and enlightening to anyone interested in jazz or in the development of a remarkable talent in general. Very much recommended.

A New High in Jazz Scholarship

John Coltrane - His Life and MusicI have probably read nearly every biography on John Coltrane that is available in the hope of finding writing that is worthy of the scope of this jazz master's genius. Most of the reading I've done has been fairly disappointing...more like glorified fanzine articles rather than serious discussions of the man and his music. Eberhard Jost in his book Free Jazz does do some pretty in-depth analysis of the music of Coltrane, but almost all other books focus more on gossip and life details and leave the musical analysis to vague lofty sounding phrases that have very little meaning on a real level. So Lewis Porter's book is a breath of fresh air, not just in writing about Coltrane, but also in jazz scholarship in general. Porter's is the first jazz biography I've read that is a really musicological biography and worthy to stand up to the biographies written about classical music figures. Rather than create a portrait with personal meditations, as J.C. Thomas did in Chasin' the Trane, or beating a predetermined ideological drum, as Frank Kofsky did in John Coltrane and the Jazz Revolution of the `60s, or create a fanzine kind of portrait, as Bill Cole did (by far the best of the pre-Porter bios, but still lightweight musically) or create a sort of modern day hagiography, as Eric Nisenson did in Ascension, John Coltrane's Quest, Porter gives us a straight biography, with little personal interjection, and a lot of penetrating insights based on the actual music Coltrane produced.Porter's book has the benefit of more years of research into Coltrane's life and legacy. Increasingly, as the years since the 60s have worn on, it has become clear that the influence of Coltrane is perhaps the biggest single influence on all facets of jazz, arguably equaling or maybe even exceeding the influence of Charlie Parker. His is certainly the most all-pervading voice since Bird and the influence doesn't seem to be waning as the millennium turns. Porter's book relies on the best of the earlier biographies. He quotes Thomas and Cole with some frequency. But he also relies on a welter of recorded interviews with Trane, interviews with those who knew Trane, and with surviving family members, including much precious information about Trane's early years from his cousin Mary and from many of his childhood and Philly friends. The picture that emerges is not radically different than the picture we get from earlier biographies. All of the elements of the Coltrane mystique are there; the obsessive practicing, the drive to succeed, the drug addicted years, the dramatic kicking of the habit, the later search for musical and spiritual Truth, and the sudden and tragic death. But devoid of interpretation, these facts loose some of the legend surrounding them. To me, this can only be a good thing. Coltrane would not have wanted the worship that has developed around him. The details of Trane's life as outlined by Porter show a man who was deeply gifted, ha

Outstanding Biography!

Lewis Porter deserves praise for his outstanding work on John Coltrane. Once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down! I was interested to learn about his family background and musical influences that developed into his unique signature style. I enjoyed the Chapters devoted to "Giant Steps" and "A Love Supreme." I agree with one reviewer's comment that the musical theory was difficult to absorb. This book is well referenced with footnotes for further readings and study. After reading this book, I have a better understanding of what Coltrane was trying to achieve an artist and ambassador for humanity. Mr. Porter, thank you for taking me on this journey!

Execellent Bio. and I recommend it wholeheartly.

I just completed review and reading of Porter's Bio. on Coltrane and I must agree with most of the positive comments on this book. I also found the comments regarding Dr. Simkins book to be a little unforunate, because I spent a lot time verifying much of Simkins work. However, I believe this to be the best book on Coltrane I've read. It compares with Bill Coles book which I also think is particularily good with respect to the musical analysis. As a musician, I was fascinated by the explanations on Coltranes' musical formulas and use of wonderful motifs. I have numerous transcriptions from Andrew White, but without the discussion of some of the mechanics it was difficult to understand how to apply the works. I wish Mr. Lewis would have included additional photos. I believe there is a wonderful opportunity for someone to issue a photo Bio. on coltrane which would be well received. I consider myself a Coltrane expert and own almost all legally published materials (some bootlegs too)on "Trane", but I actually learned some new "stuff". I recommend Lewis' book wholeheartly. This book will give you a real opportunity to appreciate Coltrane and understand how "bad" this "cat" really was.

This book has EVERYTHING one wants to know about Coltrane.

And the layout is great too. With loads of musical examples, transcribed solos from Giant Steps, So What and more, plus some very fine pictures of Trane. It also has perhaps the most thorough analysis of A Love Supreme I've ever seen. And all material and things written in this book has a documented source, so that you know everyhting that stands there is true. All Coltrane fans shall rejoice over this book. And if you're not a Coltrane fan, you will be after you've read this book. Marvelous!!!!