Patti Smith, Carlos Santana Capture John Coltrane’s Singularities in Book Excerpt
A new book marking the centenary of jazz saxophonist John Coltrane, titled Coltrane: The Definitive Visual Celebration of the Legend and edited by his son Ravi, brings together photographs with reflections from admirers including Patti Smith and Carlos Santana. The volume situates Coltrane's influence within the wider history of jazz, revisiting landmark albums such as Blue Train, Giant Steps, A Love Supreme and Ascension, and underlining how his innovations continue to resonate nearly six decades after his death in 1967 at the age of 40.
Excerpts published ahead of the book's release on 1 September include contributions from Smith, who describes hearing Coltrane's music as akin to a religious experience across different periods of her life, and Santana, who likens Coltrane's impact to that of Albert Einstein and recalls being unsettled yet ultimately transformed by his first encounter with A Love Supreme. Other contributors to the book include Wayne Coyne, Dev Hynes, Phil Lesh and Julie Mehretu, reflecting the breadth of musicians and artists who cite Coltrane as a lasting influence.
- New centenary book on John Coltrane, edited by son Ravi, out 1 September
- Features essays and photos with tributes from Patti Smith, Carlos Santana and others
- Excerpts show Coltrane's enduring influence on musicians across genres and decades
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Coltrane is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in jazz, known for his work as a saxophonist and composer through the 1950s and 60s. He recorded a string of albums now considered landmarks of the genre, including Blue Train, Giant Steps, A Love Supreme and Ascension, before his death in 1967 at the age of 40. This year marks the centenary of his birth, prompting renewed attention to his life and legacy.
A new book, edited by his son Ravi Coltrane, gathers photographs of the musician alongside written reflections from a range of admirers, including the musicians Patti Smith and Carlos Santana. Its aim is to place Coltrane's work in the broader story of jazz and to show how his influence has carried through to later generations of musicians and artists.
The wider significance of the book lies in what it reveals about Coltrane's reach beyond jazz circles, with contributors spanning rock, punk and visual art. It is due to be published on 1 September, and excerpts have been released ahead of that date.