John Coltrane on Giant Steps | Blank on Blank
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- Опубликовано: 7 фев 2025
- "I want to be the force which is truly for good."
John Coltrane in 1966, as told Frank Kofsky
One afternoon in November 1966, Frank Kofsky took the train out to Long Island. He was about to spend the day with John Coltrane. Kofsky brought his tape recorder and what we get to hear is the conversation the two men had as they drove through town and made a few stops along the way.
Coltrane had moved to Huntington, New York with his wife Alice and their children in 1964. They lived in a modest house on a quiet, tree-lined street. It was a home to raise a family. Coltrane had just turned 40. He would die from liver cancer less than a year later.
During this episode Coltrane talks about moving to the country, setting up to practice, connecting with the sound of an instrument, Malcolm X, music as means of expressing that state of society, and how he wanted to change the world.
More Choice Coltrane
"I keep a horn on the piano and I have a horn in my bedroom."
"Music, being expression of the human heart or the human being itself, does express just what is happening."
"In any situation that we find in our lives, when there’s something we feel should be better, we must exert effort to try and make it better."
Here the full interview: PacificaRadioAr...
Get more Coltrane on our website including Coltrane the saint,
more quotes from this one of Coltrane's final interviews, his battles with Miles Davis, and the super quartet behind Coltrane's "A Love Supreme"
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Executive Producer: David Gerlach
Animator: Patrick Smith
Audio Producer: Amy Drozdowska
Music You Heard
John Coltrane
@ 0:07 “In a Sentimental Mood”
@ 2:27 “My Favorite Things”
APM MUSIC
@ 0:32 Simon Thorpe (PRS), John Donaldson (BMI)
“Break Out”
@ 3:10
Jean Gobinet (SACEM)
“I Was Born Here”
@ 3:35 Colin Towns (PRS)
“Downcast”
@ 4:00 Michele Generale (SIAE), Femi Olasehinde (PRS), Paolo Porta (SIAE)
“Run Time”
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Photos
Dutch National Archives
Impulse Records / Charles Stewart
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This is the first time I've ever heard John Coltrane in conversation. Wow! what a treat for a person who has been listening to his music since 1966.
He sounds so normal for an out-of-this-world genius. Not sure what I expected. It’s like hearing a unicorn speak. 🤩 Don’t mind me, I’m star struck.
There's no way you're that old man! You look middle aged.
Same here
That is wild 🤯
That moment when you know someone's voice like your own, then you suddenly hear them using their larynx.
After watching a documentary on miles davis, it made me appreciate his music more and his character less. After reading and listening to interviews of John Coltrane, it made me love his presence in this world, his music a lot more, and the entire universe at a deeper level. Such a beautiful man. Very in tune with his soul.
I agree with you wholeheartedly. Miles is the greatest jazz artist of all time but the more you find out about his personal life, the less you want to know.
Trane was always a great, great dude.
Coltrane did heroin
@@manchesterunited9576 Dosn't make him any less of a man.
@@peterodoherty4324 it makes him even more of a man
@@manchesterunited9576 Exactly, a mans gotta have a hobby
I must have seen John Coltrane between 10 and 20 times--concerts, clubs. But I can truly say that I have never heard him speak until now (except hearing him whisper to the players when I was maybe 4 ft. from him at the Jazz Workshop in San Francisco). He just didn't talk to the people, he let his playing talk for him.
He did a tiny bit of chanting on his 1965 masterpiece A Love Supreme
Duuuuude lucky
That's incredible. Can I ask how old you are?
@@TheCSJones im also curious of your age Jim. What a privilege to witness that man live multiple times. Im 22 and just started getting into trane, what a musical genius the guy was
Such a trip to hear him speak. Jimi Hendrix spoke in a manner that matched the music he created, as did Miles Davis and Frank Zappa...but Coltrane just sounds like a friendly Southerner who might work at an auto mechanics shop or tend to crops on a farm. Crazy to think that all of that complex and beautiful music came from such a simple (in a great way) sounding guy.
This is so inspiring to me a Trane fan, just hearing his voice is wonderful, thanks.
you mean hearing him speak language, the sax IS his voice ; )
Don't tell someone else what they mean. That's not nice.
We've all heard Coltrane play but it IS nice to hear him speak with his actual human voice and hear what he has to say in English and not in music for once.
it's called "irony"... the gateway to a sense of humor. Indicated by this ; )
@@Paracelsus23 uhhh... shut up ...
Hj
John Coltrane was a fan of Malcolm X... This fact satisfies my soul.
Absolutely. I didn’t know why I didn’t expect it before but it makes sense
Wow I love Malcolm X and John Coltrane so that also pleases me.
He was a fan of Malcolm and Martin! Coltrane’s later years approach to the political landscape he found himself in is marvellous! He would look down all avenues in order to reach his own truth. He was famously quoted in the liner notes of ascension saying ‘I believe in all the gods’ (paraphrased, of course! I don’t have the album right in my hand 😂😂)
Too many people are obsessed with miles Davis as the model for how a jazz legend should carry themselves - arrogant, rude, and utterly unapproachable.
And then there’s Coltrane. Superior to miles not only as a musician but as as a person. Davis may be a legendary musician, but Coltrane is a legendary human being.
I agree 👍🏾💯
No, pal. You're projecting your expectations on them. Being a "legendary human being" doesn't make you a good musician. Coltrane's genius has nothing to do with kindness. As Miles' genius has nothing to do with his rudeness. This is secondary. Only a fool put these silly things above their art.
@@andrepires7687 yeah, I don’t think you understood what I wrote. That’s okay though
It takes all kinds. Miles was arrogant, but that was his right. He worked hard, lived through some serious stuff, made some mistakes, and made some beautiful sounds. Same can be said about Coltrane. He just dealt with life in a different way. I don’t think Miles set a standard for character in the Jazz world. So many unique personalities have come from this genre. Duke, Monk, Dizzy, Mingus, Dexter, Shorter, etc. All so different in the way they carried themselves and all so expressive in their playing and compositions. These are people whose personalities were as big and diverse as the sounds they created. All different molds.
Trash take
Heard his soul for years but never his voice. So eerie
great way to put it
sometimes easy to forget that musical legends from before your time like coltrane were actual people. nice to have a reminder
"I want to be a force for Good" And he was.
What a genius Coltrane was. His music is timeless with his signature tone on that tenor.
I've never heard Coltrane speak. Of course, I loved listening to him. My father was a jazz enthusiast. So in our house, WE HEARD Miles, Parker, Brubeck, Coltrane, Jimmy Smith, Joe Henderson, Horace Silver, Lee Morgan, etc. Thank you for sharing. Loved it! The 60s was the last incredible decade of modern jazz.
I've never heard Coltrane's speaking voice. Even on his Jazz Casual episode he didn't say anything on camera. Giant Steps, Lush Life, Blue Train, and A Love Supreme loom so large in my life it's great to finally hear him speak.
“In any situation that we find in our lives, when there’s something we feel should be better, we must exert effort to try and make it better.”
Preach, Brother Coltrane 👏🏾🙏🏾
I don't care if the title is a little misleading, the interview is heart warming.
For some reason, that “The whole of the human experience at that particular time is being expressed” line sounds like something you would find in a scholarly article... really impressed that Coltrane talks in such sophisticated way
It really brings tears to my eyes to hear Coltrane speaking. He really was a force for good, probably more powerfully influential than he knew during his lifetime. I believe he was an enlightened being in some way
The greatest musician that's ever lived
Seth - Huge statement. I don't agree with it, but can't argue with it. (I must also admit that I personally feel that I am finally scratching the surface with Trane...perhaps I'll agree with you in time). #bestgood
@@justinwillis78 this isn't to say that other people can't also be the greatest!
Seth - True. My problem is, I get so hung up on comparing him to Miles (who is my favorite). As I get older, I realize that's not fair to Trane. Perhaps it's as simple as recognizing that their are two completely different journeys (despite their collaboration), by 2 brilliant people.
@@justinwillis78 I'm inclined to agree with that statement!
100%
Kind of sad hearing him talk about getting tired since he was probably living with cancer(unknowingly)at this point.
for some strange reason I find myself in a sentimental mood today...
Exactly
Is that suppose to be a reference to a song
Animeboy yeah, in a sentimental mood
I'm feeling this in my Body and my Soul
Coltrane and Ellington, Impulse records.
“I want to be the force which is truly for good.”
Indeed you are, Trane.
Rest In Peace 🙏🏾
i never saw a person before who had such a constant commitment to his instrument and craft. each day after he had his spiritual epiphany was a gift from above and his hunger for enlightenment never stopped.
I LOVE hearing the sound of Mr. Coltrane’s laugh. Awesome, vibrance !
"I know there are forces that bring suffering and misery to the world. But I want to be the opposite". Thank you brother John you were a messenger of Good news with your horn. I can see Gabriel asking you for some lessons to prepare for that great day.
Such complicated and otherworldly music came out of such a humble and modest man. Thank you very much Blank on Blank. I really needed this today
I feel him when he says his mouth piece was ruined, I had a paint brush I loved using and lost it, then just lost the passion for painting. Owned the brush for years and had it broke it perfectly.
denmark555 Your Braking My Heart! I Have Painted In Oils For Over 50 Years & I Have A Brush That A Friend Stole From My Art Supply Back In The Day! It's A Flat Sable & I Paint Thick (Think Vincent) So I Use Hog Bristle Rounds & Flats,Also Fine Round Sable Brush's For Fine Details I Have Worn Out Hundreds Of Brush's. I Have Liked Many More Than Others,But To Get Hung Up On One Brush, Really? Then U Set Yourself Up,To Fail. I Want 2 Believe U Overcame Ur Loss & R Painting Again,Hope So! UR Not Alone. S. ⚡️🖖🏽⚡️👁⚡️🙀
Relatable
Wow, even though he grew up in the south, I didn't expect hear a down home southern accent! Wow!!!
How incredible he let go of what he was used to just a lit bit and discovered that he loved something better even more in a new way a different way. I’m so glad I’m hearing this so inspiring
Coltrane’s music makes me want to be a better person, a better human, more kind
I really enjoyed this video , thank you! Coltrane is a cultural and spiritual Idol of mine. He died three days before my 11th birthday. I remember hearing the news on the radio the afternoon he died. It saddened me as his music was part of the soundtrack of my short life up till then. His music is always will be an expression of what he was as a human being and it resonates with the essence of what we all are as human beings. that is our spiritual essence. I didn't know he had met Malcom. I wonder if it was sometime in mid to late '64.
I'd never heard Mr. Coltrane's voice before! Thank you for this!
I just wanted to say that I absolutely love the Blank on Blank series. I am a special ed teacher by trade, and a lot of my students are more visual learners than their counter parts. I am planning on showing the Maurice Sendak interview because we just had parent teacher conferences. I love the animations!
As a musician by heart, as Louis Armstrong would say, I love the musician interviews as well. The Stan Getz interview is especially telling of the man behind the horn. Please keep on keeping on with this series. Speaking of which... how about Clark Terry next?
+pickinstone This is great to hear. We're so glad to hear these are inspiring students. Thank you for sharing our work!
Hear Hear, Blank on Blank is a force for good!
It’s so great to hear the voice of a legend.
It's amazing to hear Coltrane talking after having recorded on Kind of Blue, Giant Steps, and so many other masterpieces. That's the voice of a man that truly evolved music and jazz forever for the better.
Just to hear him is amazing and brings a smile to my face. This man is made my favorite jazz album bags and trane.
Who could give this a thumbs down? Kenny G fans?
they're busy hating on the coltrane interview. Lol
Forget about them. Focus on the positive information here.
Maybe people expecting to hear something about Giant Steps...
the same kind of people who spray up walls.
K August AHAHAHAHAHA
Thank you! I've listened to John for years, and even transcribed some of his solo work, but I never heard his speaking voice! Thanks to you, I was able to enjoy that.
It's amazing how you can hear how mellow yet quick on his feet Coltrane is in conversation, just by listening his music. Same way Miles Davis has a more aggressive sound in his music and speech.
Totally not what I expected his voice to sound like. Genius Coltraine.
Wow. Awesome!!! Thanks for this video. Coltrane is one of my lifetime inspiration.
Wonderful.
I used to think jazz was stupid and chaotic. Now that I’ve grown up a little, I’ve come to the realization it was I who was stupid and chaotic
Peace love and groovyness
I Am So Happy to Have Found Blank on Blank! What A Blessing! What A Joy! Thank You So Much! Peace!
Absolutely amazing. The whole interview is great, and it really gives a lot of understanding into Coltrane and his approach. What a beautiful mind.
What a truly, truly beautiful man and words.
Nice effort, and thanks for posting. Coltrane to me is one of the greatest musical and spiritual thinkers of the 20th Century. He wasn't overly verbal, he was kind of awkward sounding, but I think that has nothing to do with his art or his music. He was a highly, highly introspective person, and he probably knew that words cannot easily approach his emotional and spiritual location.
That was so beautufully stated. Thank you for your insite.
He was a musician, par excellence, but he was certainly not inarticulate when it came to expressing himself verbally.
@gabe "Awkward sounding" is a bit strong. I quicker say what we hear from John Coltrane is typical southern vernacular. Anyways, let's just appreciate that this interview is out there which helps us understand this talented man.
@@Perivale I agree. What I am hearing is a person who thinks before he speaks. A thoughtful deeply intelligent and intuitive person who is aware of the political controversy (Malcolm X questions) and the nuances of his words.
Thank you so much
1966...one year before he passed on. Coltrane has impacted Jazz forever, that is a powerful force for good. Well done, Mr. Coltrane!
I have heard Coltrane's voice once before on a radio interview in Stockholm when he travlled with Miles Davis.. but such a casual conversation...never! Thank you for posting
I can sympathize. About three years ago, my favorite tenor was stolen out of my kitchen. I had put many hours into refurbishing and overhauling it. It was an old Yamaha 23 that I bought for $500. I had it running better than my Mark VI. But the real tragedy was the loss of the mouthpiece that was in the case. It was a Morgan 6M that Ralph Morgan hand-finished himself. It was very special. A famous mouthpiece refinisher and I once spent a day trying to reproduce it, without success. I still mourn for it.
I watched a six hour documentary in 2018 on Jazz and it changed my life. I had always like hearing Jazz but I didn’t understand how anyone could listen to it for hours. I know why now lol. I can’t believe I’ve never heard John speak until tonight 😢 this video is priceless
Patrick, I just have to comment on how much your animations beautifully capture the essence of every interview I've watched here on BonB. Thank you so much for all the work you do. It really is appreciated.
The catholic church is a part of the beast system.
“the whole of human experience at that particular time is being expressed.” god damn.
I love this. Never heard JC talk before. 👊🏿♥️
This was done so great wow long live Coltrane spiritual jazz MAESTRO
The animation reminds me of old seananners animations pure gold!
Personally, Trane has truly been a life-changing force for good in my life.
Same...many lives
Gracias por los subtítulos, excelente material, siempre los veo! Muchas gracias, una vez más!
I can't like your guys' stuff enough. It's amazing. Pleeeeeeease don't stop!
He starts out sounding like some average country dude from North Carolina, ends up dropping some sage master wisdom!!
yep, that accent surprised me too! Very rural sounding.
More musicians who want to be a force for good. That’s respectable
big ups the dude who added captions, for Europeans this is hard to understand without.
This is priceless. THANK YOU!!!
I am very familiar with this interview. It was so nice to see it matched with the animation! Thanks
Saint John was the greatest
Great! true artiste we lost way too soon.
excellent video, listening to coltrane is so insightful
In the mid 90s, in a fair/flea market in Buenos Aires, i bought the Jazz & Pop magazine (the one with frank Zappa and Archie Shepp on the cover) where this interview by Frank Kofsky was originally published in july 1967, the same month Coltrane passed. Unfortunately, a few years later, i had to sell it with other collectables to raise money for my trip to NYC (where i reside since 1999)... Whenever i reminisce of my migration times i weep for all the things that were lost in the process, and this magazine and Coltrane's interview is the first thing that comes to mind.
This is truly beatiful. Really thanks for this.
beautiful! I love Coltrane!
How am I just now finding this?!?!? Awesome.
AWESOME HEARING THE LEGEND VOICE
I love it, greetings from Chile 🇨🇱
What a household that must have been. His wife Alice made some of my favorite albums ever.
Wasn't it amazing to hear the great man talk.
Esto es buenísimo !!!!! Buen trabajo ! Celebro que haya gente así !
I play the saxophone, this guy is my role model. An absolute genius - died far too early
interesting hearing his voice. My image of him was so intertwined with his music, more so than almost every other artist i can think of
What a sweet heart this guy has.❤
The part about his mouthpiece is interesting. Coltrane had a beautiful Florida Otto Link tenor mouthpiece that he played on all those famous albums like Blue Train, Giant Steps, Coltrane Jazz, et al. So at some point he gave to a mouthpiece specialist to work on, and it was never the same. He still couldn't help but sound like the best saxophonist in the world after the mouthpiece was worked on, but there is a noticeable change in his tenor sound on the early to mid-1960s albums on. Of course, Trane was too classy to name the poor repairman who screwed up his Otto Link. So saxophone players beware: if you have a good mouthpiece, don't mess with it.
+Markus Arike It's always a high risk to have a piece worked on. I'm had several made un-playable by some of the most reputable refacers out there. It's all educated trial and error, but the error is usually permanent.
What rare treat, thank you.
Coltrane was a force for good!
Love the art on this video. Absolutely great shapes.
0:33 I like how they made the record label look like the Blue Note label. Nice attention to detail!
love the visualization man, thanks for this
Loved this video, but nothing about "Giant Steps"
Fernando Zamora We're using the title of this famous album to highlight the steps he was taking philosophically and as a musician at this time in his life.
Blank on Blank Come on, you had to know people would click for Giant Steps. I get the wordplay and figurative aspect, but that's such a literal-sounding title. I was waiting the whole video for him to talk about Giant Steps, even just a sentence. Nothing.
It's called click bait.
Blank on Blank L
Blank on Blank y’all took a fat L on this one
I love all of your videos, thank you blank on blank :)
Keep up the good work!!
I love how he refers to "something coming through."
What a great experience..
Thank you!
As soon as I understood where this was going I subbed. Very good content. Thank you for this
I can only imagine a conversation between Malcolm and Coltrane
Love him
This really is very, very well done. Tremendous.
Great job! By the way the date of the interview was August 18, 1966. Lewis Porter
This is very cool. The interview and the animation.
when he got discouraged from playing after ruining his mouthpiece, really speaks to me for some reason.
something about those small, familiar pieces of an instrument or art that gets so personal after so much use.
And here, I thought this was gonna be him talking about how tough it is to play Giant Steps.
His whole vibe going by his voice and music reminds me of Jimi Hendrix: An otherworldly musical genius with a short career and life but also unexpectedly down to earth while speaking to interviewers.
Amazing conversation.
He's really the sax itself
Clearly an incredibly intelligent person
love your segment
***** thank you