I start my exploration of jazz with John Coltrane, the first jazz artist whose music truly captivated me. I’d heard and liked plenty of jazz beforehand, but Coltrane was my first jazz love.
The album was called Impressions, and within the very first minute of “India,” I was hooked. The way the two upright basses entered with an off-kilter rhythm over the steady drumming, the faint touches of piano like a ghost in the background, and finally the piercing wail of Coltrane’s soprano sax as it edged its way into the mix—the combination of it all just entranced me. From there, the world of jazz opened up to me.
The following three playlists track his progression throughout the long peak of his career. I’ve skipped over his prominent early work to jump right in with his classic Giant Steps album; I’ve omitted his justly famous album A Love Supreme, which deserves to be heard in its entirety all on its own; and I’ve chosen not to include some of his more out-there work, which I am quite content to have listened to and experienced but don’t want to hear every day.
Enjoy!
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