John Coltrane was a jazz composer from Hamlet, North Carolina and one of the most influential tenor saxophonists of all-time. Also known as "Trane," Coltrane spent the early years of his career playing in bands led by Dizzy Gillespie, Johnny Hodges and Miles Davis before his debut album as leader, Coltrane, was released in 1957. He rejoined Davis's group the following year and perfected his style while in the sextet, which he stayed with until 1960. Coltrane formed his own group the Classic Quintet, and released his quartet's debut album, My Favorite Things in 1961. The album received widespread critical and commercial success and marked Coltrane's debut with the soprano saxophone. Coltrane's early bebop style of music, characterized by quick tempos and improvisation, developed into avant-garde jazz as his confidence as leader increased. Throughout the mid-1960, his music became more abstract with every recording, demonstrating the use of multiphonics, overtones and experimentation with registers. Coltrane surprised his jazz peers and family when he suddenly passed away in 1967, though his legacy as a jazz icon lives through his music and influence on bebop and modern jazz.
