John Coltrane Would Have Turned 93 Today

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John Coltrane (1926–1967)

(Photo: DownBeat Archive/Prestige Records)

​The generation-defining and genre-defying saxophonist John Coltrane was born Sept. 23, 1926. He would have been 93 years old today.

Though he passed away back in 1967, his work’s still inspiring bandleaders today. And given the recent flurry of newly issued music from a prime period in Trane’s career, recent coverage of his still-developing legacy is below. DB



  • Casey_B_2011-115-Edit.jpg

    Benjamin possessed a fluid, round sound on the alto saxophone, and he was often most recognizable by the layers of electronic effects that he put onto the instrument.

  • David_Sanborn_by_C_Andrew_Hovan.jpg

    Sanborn’s highly stylized playing and searing signature sound — frequently ornamented with thrill-inducing split-tones and bluesy bent notes — influenced generations of jazz and blues saxophonists.

  • Albert_Tootie_Heath_2014_copy.jpg

    ​Albert “Tootie” Heath (1935–2024) followed in the tradition of drummer Kenny Clarke, his idol.

  • 1_Henry_Threadgills_Zooid_by_Cora_Wagoner.jpg

    Henry Threadgill performs with Zooid at Big Ears in Knoxville, Tennessee.

  • Ambrose_Akinmusire-908Z-5301_copy.jpg

    “I’m also at a point in my life where I don’t feel like I have anything to prove, like at all,” Akinmusire says about his art.


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