The John Coltrane Reference

This superb book which weighs in at about 4 1/2 pounds is the culmination of tremendous scholarly research by the editor and contributors. Coltrane was born in 1926. This exhaustive reference covers highlights of his life from 1938 thru 1944. Then a timeline which briefly summarizes key events followed by a more detailed chronology of that year. These details are in yearly chapters from 1945-1967 (the year of his death). There are many anecdotes as well as published reviews by critics and columnists. A number of musician former collegues were interviewed to provide further information. Following that is a complete discography (as of the publication date which was 2008). That also follows the yearly format covering the periods from 1946-67. A lot of album covers are reproduced. It is amazing how many different reissues and repackagings have been made from these record dates. Also, many quite obscure releases are covered as well as private practice,radio broadcasts,club dates and concert performances that were recorded. Tremendous effort by the authors. With much original research.

There are a handful of Coltrane scholars around the planet who are recognized as the authorities on John Coltrane. Lewis Porter (who is one of them), well-known jazz scholar and jazz artist, gathered most of the true heavyweights together for this definitive guide to Coltrane's life and work.This book encompasses, updates, expands upon and supersedes Fujioka's "John Coltrane: A Discography And Musical Biography".If you are simply looking for a biography of Coltrane, I would recommend Porter's "John Coltrane: His Life And Music" [U of Michigan Press].If, on the other hand, you want every bit of information there is about every recording ever made by Coltrane, including concert recordings that circulate among music traders, this is the book of your dreams. Until (and if) this book is ever updated, it is the definitive guide to Coltrane's work. Nothing else, save the Fujioka, even comes close.

A chronology, gig by gig, session by session, of John Coltrane. If that description is attractive this is a very well put together book, an invaluable historical reference for arguably one of the jazz ages' most important musicians.

A mystic

This is a seminal work and belongs on every jazz lovers bookshelf.

Good book!

The book itself is awesome. One star off because I noticed several instances of spaces mid-word, some typos here and there, just with my initial look though. (The book or the Kindle software, I don't know.)

Thanks to all for the reviews. I could only have a quick overview on this book and the first impression was great.Please, a question: I have seen that the UK Hardcover edition is printed (pictures included) in matte paper. Is the US edition (Hardcover) printed in glossy paper (at least the pictures found at approximately the middle part of the book?).The UK edition (again Hardcover with copyright 2008) states in the first pages: "Transferred to digital printing in 2011". Is this also written in the US edition?Many thanks.

Of course it's expensive - and I can imagine many people quickly losing interest when they see the price. But scholarship like this is bound to be costly. There are two main reasons to acquire this book. Firstly, the quality of the research, which is worthy of the music. What you get is a complete chronology of Coltrane's life, with copious quotation of contemporary reviews which illuminate the ways in which Coltrane was received. These extracts alone would make a good book. Then there is the discography. This is more easily useable than many others I've seen. It clarifies the exact content of all the issues so far (tape, vinyl, CD, video and DVD). A detail typical of the care bestowed on the book: the listing of each recording date ends with reproductions of the covers of the various issues - a helpful way to break up the text and make it easier to use.Another point: the details of the reissues will help readers to save money by avoiding duplication when they buy the recordings. This applies in particular to the numerous small-label issues of live gigs. To learn which of them are duplicates, which are incomplete or poorly recorded - all this could save you the price of the book in no time at all. I should add that the book is actually readable - not just something for reference. I read all of it, and can vouch for the fact that it will send you back to the music again and again to check out a track which you've forgotten.And finally - the listing of gigs and recordings which featured members of his bands without him. How on earth did Elvin Jones manage to play with Coltrane all evening, then record with someone else by night?Enough? If you can possibly afford thos book, don't hesitate.

I am a almost lifelong fan of 'Trane and have virtually all of his records. I bought the predecessor to this book (then solely by Fujioka and thought I knew what to expect. But I was wrong. This is a Massive improvement, at first the fact that It is divided into 3 sections (1) TIME LINE (detailing any known event) (2) A SESSIONOGRAPHY breaking down any recording or live appearances into as much detail as was known and (3) A DISCOGRAPHY listing all various releases of recordings, seemed excessive, When you us eth book though you see the wisdom of this, it enables you to find things very fast in the Timeline and you can then if you wish read that entry in detail, If you later want to locate a copy the discography is there but you can simply move through relevant sessions avoiding pages of record labels. For those interested in labels you can pore through the many releases without the other sectionsBut then the detail is astonishin. The times for virtually everything ism present including lots of unreleased and unavailable material. Equally impressive is the detail on various performance much not from recordings but first hand reports, interviews and press material which is totally exhaustive.This was a labour of love clearly and one that continues the book gives you website address where "updates" to the book are listed. I took a look sceptical that anything else could be forthcoming only to find theres a few weeks reading there.Personally I am an archivist of other artists myself, especially Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix. I've written a lot on both and have my own database on Dylan. But this is something else.This has to be the most detailed reference book on music I have ever seen about ANYONEI recommend it unreservedly and consider it utterly essential for anyone with more than a passing interest in John Coltrane.Chris Cooper

This book is quite amazing. It is a record of Coltrane a activity’s from 1926 -1967 which an incredible amount of information and references. I would say a must have for anyone that is enough of a Coltrane fan.

This is a monumental tome, the work of five leaders in there own fields of knowledge coming together to make an outstanding reference book on the life, work and musical achievements of the late John Coltrane, for anyone deeply into the music of Coltrane it adds so much it is worth the expence and to any one who has a more modest interest in him, ask your local library to get a copy so you and others will have the opportunity to delve into it should the need arise.the music departments of all university's should hold this book as all side of the music spectrum should be aware of this mans importance.

A massive work of true love!! Everything you would ever want or need to know about Trane. Detail is astonishing. Expensive but indispensable!!!!