John Coltrane

John Coltrane's first professional job was in 1947 with the Joe Webb Rhythm & Blues band from Indianapolis, with singer Big Maybelle. After that, he played mainly in better-known groups, mostly for lengthy periods: Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson (1947-51), Dizzy Gillespie (1949-51), Earl Bostic (1952-53), Johnny Hodges (1953-54)...until, in 1955, Miles Davis hired him for his quintet and he gained immediate fame with his solo on "Round Midnight."
Coltrane often dealt with religious matters during his varied career. He said that in 1957 he experienced, through the Grace of God, "a spiritual awakening." And in 1962, he said: "I believe in all religions," to which LeRoi Jones commented that music for Trane was "a way into God."
On several records, Coltrane employed the star quality of his name to help young, little-known, uncompromising free-jazz musicians reach a wider audience. And recordings made by tenor saxophonist Archie Shepp at the 1965 Newport Jazz Festival were coupled with a Coltrane performance on the Impulse label. This meant the decisive breakthrough for Shepp.
In March 1965, Coltrane played at the New York Village Gate in a not just musically, but also socially and racially, revealing Free Jazz concert of "New Black Music," produced as a benefit performance for LeRoi Jones Black Arts Repertory Theatre School.
John Coltrane died unexpectedly in July of 1967.

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