John Coltrane's Spirituality & Philosophy of Music

John Coltrane is known as one of the most famous saxophone players in history, but he also had a fascinating life involving philosophical and spiritual pursuits. This video explores that aspect of his life.

Original music by:
Filip Holm
Golden Age Radio
Nocturnal Spirits
Banaras Bana & Kolkata Kid

Sources & Recomended Reading:

Beck, Guy L. (2009). "Sonic Theology: Hinduism and Sacred Sound". University South Carolina Pr.

Berkman, Franya J. (2007). "Appropriating Universality: The Coltranes and 1960s Spirituality". American Studies Vol. 48, No. 1 (Spring 2007), pp. 41-62

Lavezzoli, Peter (2007). "The Dawn of Indian Music in the West". Continuum; New edition.

[YouTubdotCub]

Alice Coltrane deserves a video of her own, I have been moved to tears listening to Journey in Satchidananda so many times.

[Goatchild]

John Coltrane is the definition of a legend. An icon of the highest order. R.I.P. to him and Alice.

[kasturiswami]

In India it is called nadopasana.through music one can attain oneness with god or whatever name you call. Unifying thing. That is why musicians in India while singing never wear footwear as it is like prayer.

[davidr]

The great Pharoah Sanders is a good example too, spiritual sound 🎷

[Yapperofthecentury]

I’ll never forget listening to Coltrane’s live album at Temple University (i think 1966?) as a young adult in college. It was in a very hard time in my life right on the cusp of metamorphic change. The sheer intensity and power of the music took me to another level man. I understood the intensity on two levels: 1st as a Black man in America dealing with all of the things that entails; and 2nd the search/longing for a conduit allowing access to deeper spiritual meaning. One thing I can say now, as I reach another stage in adulthood is that Coltrane is damn right (at least to me) about every person needing to figure these deep spiritual questions out themselves. The deeper you explore, the more it’ll all eventually make sense; usually at the weirdest, most unexpected times too! God bless

[scottkunghadrengsen]

Great video Thank you!
Here in San Francisco, California we have the Church of John Coltrane where his later compositions are played as devotionals and he is seen as a Saint. Many local musicians are directly influenced by this and have played there and passed through his legacy. Alice (RIP) founded an Ashram in Los Angeles which still functions. I feel she continued the spiritual thread of his musical work, especially as a harpist. There is a story that when they met she showed him some saxophone notation she had scribbled on a napkin. She asked him to play it. John said "I am sorry, it is too difficult." Alice countered, " Funny, you just did." as she had transcribed it from his previous set..
Worth mentioning that he named his son "Ravi".

[scottkunghadrengsen]

I think it's also worth mentioning the "Intersteller Space"album. A duet with drummer Rashied Ali where John is unconstrained by any chordal instrument and the music is reminiscent of the interplay between Tabla and soloist in some forms of Indian Classical music.

[cristinahutchins]

So timely! I am currently reading jazz saxaphonist and professor of physics, Stephon Alexander's, "The Jazz of Physics" where Coltrane's music features prominently in Alexander's thesis that there is a secret link between music and the structure of the universe. Thanks for this talk featuring John Coltrane! 🙏🙏🙏

[scottkunghadrengsen]

Also(so excited I can't shut up here) It's interesting that Coltrane(like Bach) became more architectural in his playing with arpeggios and chord extentions meant to reflect(and embody)the underlying structure of the universe. His tone was also huge with a lot of upper harmonic content perhaps also to reflect this, a path that Pharaoh Sanders would deeply explore.

[Whodatbuoy]

YOU LEGEND. Was not expecting a music/religion crossover!

[josef]

Went to a service at the St.John Coltrane Church in San Francisco in the mid-90's.I couldn't get in, the place was so packed+raucous, music spilling out of everywhere! Amazing energy coming out of that space 🙏💗 Hari Om

[sambhavnath]

Lord krishna was himself a great flute player thank you very much sir for making this beautiful video about the connection of music and spirituality you have literally explained it very clearly to me thank you

[SmallBobby]

I've always felt a connection to Coltrane's music and his sound in general. Now it's so neat to know we share a similar spiritual journey and religious perspective in general. Love this topic!!

[t.bagsmusic]

The Mysticism of Sound and Music by Hazrat Inayat Khan

beautiful video. it is important to mention this book that trane was seen carrying around later in life that explores these mystical connections with sound and music very deeply. a great starting point for anybody wanting to find their spirit in music. i am surprised it was not mentioned in the video. this is an EXTREMELY important sufi text. thank you for the video <3

[rockomaniaco]

The section of my finite time on this earth that I used watching your videos was absolutely well spent. Thank you very much.

[rdreher]

I love this so much. I knew that Coltrane had this spirituality to his music, but I didn't know the details, and just how well read he was about religious traditions.

I laughed when you said "some of you might not associate this kind of attitude with Jazz, " because I feel like, if you don't associated spirituality with Jazz, you probably are the kind of person that thinks Frank Sinatra is Jazz. One of my formative experiences with Jazz was a Jazz piano teacher who was also a devout Christian and his music was an integral part of his faith. I think anyone who has experienced the Jazz world from the inside is intimately familiar with this connection.

It's also so fascinating to me to see the more sophisticated side of the counter culture movement. All my life, just like you I'm sure, I've been attracted to "hippie" culture: the music of the Beatles, the interest in the "eastern" religions, all the stuff you touch on. However, I've also always been very sensitive to the Orientalism of Hippies, the shallow appropriate-y, often tacky interpretations that came about from that era and since. It was really nice to be reminded that there was more to that era and its fascination with non-western culture and religions － true sharing of culture and deeply informed inspiration － that there very much is a kernel of beauty to that era that is worth being fascinated in.

[renakmans]

This is better than the recent Coltrane film. Thank You, I learned a lot including the fact that he was a non-dualist practitioner and through music he meditated! It makes sense that he had a true awakening beyond thought or conceptualizing. ❤

[picksalot]

Thank you for this insightful look into Coltrane's spiritual background and it's importance in his music. I deeply appreciate the clarity and accuracy that you presented Advaita Vedanta. 🕉️

[boglot]

Isthmus is a neat song. I like how it builds to the soaring climax

[uncommonsensewithpastormar]

I‘ve always been interested in Coltrane‘s spirituality, so thank you for this. As both a musician and a person interested in spirituality, this video really delivered.