John Coltrane
1926-1967 · American (Hamlet, North Carolina/New York) · Jazz
Known for: Saxophone titan who turned jazz improvisation into spiritual practice - A Love Supreme is one of music's sacred texts
Coltrane practiced 12 hours a day, sometimes falling asleep with the saxophone in his mouth. He overcame heroin addiction through a spiritual experience and his music became increasingly transcendent. A Love Supreme is one of the most revered recordings in history.
His 'sheets of sound' technique and later free jazz explorations divided audiences. He was quiet, gentle, and died of liver cancer at 40.
Browse all 1,000 figures by category
Enable JavaScript to view the full "if they lived today" Q&A and personality profile.