John Coltrane (1926–1967) was one of the most important jazz musicians of the 20th century.

John Coltrane

As a saxophonist, bandleader and composer, his influence on contemporary music can’t be overestimated. He pioneered modal jazz and free jazz, appeared on ground-breaking albums by Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk and led more than fifty recording sessions with various groups of musicians. Coltrane released seminal albums like “Blue Train” (1958), “Giant Steps” (1960) and his spiritual masterpiece, “A Love Supreme” (1965). He was married to Alice Coltrane, the famous jazz harpist and pianist. Unfortunately, Coltrane passed away from cancer at the young age of 40.