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Coltrane: The Story of a Sound
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Coltrane: The Story of a Sound Paperback - 2008

by Ben Ratliff

In this major work about the great saxophonist--and about the state of jazz--Ratliff looks for the sources of power in John Coltrane's music, not just in matters of technique, composition, and musical concepts, but in the deeper frequencies of the musician's sound.


From the publisher

John Coltrane left an indelible mark on the world, but what was the essence of his achievement that makes him so prized forty years after his death? What were the factors that helped Coltrane become who he was? And what would a John Coltrane look like now--or are we looking for the wrong signs? In this deftly written, riveting study, New York Times jazz critic Ben Ratliff answers these questions and examines the life of Coltrane, the acclaimed band leader and deeply spiritual man who changed the face of jazz music. Ratliff places jazz among other art forms and within the turbulence of American social history, and he places Coltrane not just among jazz musicians but among the greatest American artists.

Details

  • Title Coltrane: The Story of a Sound
  • Author Ben Ratliff
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition First Edition
  • Pages 272
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher St. Martins Press-3PL, NY
  • Date 2008-10-28
  • Illustrated Yes
  • ISBN 9780312427788 / 0312427786
  • Weight 0.7 lbs (0.32 kg)
  • Dimensions 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.7 in (20.83 x 13.72 x 1.78 cm)
  • Ages 14 to 18 years
  • Grade levels 9 - 13
  • Themes
    • Chronological Period: 20th Century
    • Ethnic Orientation: African American
  • Library of Congress subjects Coltrane, John, Jazz musicians - United States
  • Dewey Decimal Code B

Media reviews

Citations

  • New York Times Book Review, 12/07/2008, Page 68

About the author

Ben Ratliff has been a jazz critic at The New York Times since 1996. He lives in Manhattan with his wife and their two sons. His New York Times Essential Library: Jazz was published in 2002.

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Coltrane: The Story of a Sound
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Picador, New York, 2008. First trade paperback edition. Condition: Very good plus, very light edge and corner wear, spine has light wear.What was the essence of John Coltrane's achievement that makes him so prized forty years after his death? What was it about his improvising, his bands, his compositions, his place within his era of jazz that left so many musicians and listeners so powerfully drawn to him? What would a John Coltrane look like now—or are we looking for the wrong signs?The acclaimed jazz writer Ben Ratliff addresses these questions in Coltrane. First Ratliff tells the story of Coltrane's development, from his first recordings as a no-name navy bandsman to his last recordings as a near-saint, paying special attention to the last ten years of his life, which contained a remarkable series of breakthroughs in a nearly religious search for deeper expression. In the book's second half, Ratliff traces another history: that of Coltrane's influence and legacy. This story begins in the mid-'50s… Read More
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Coltrane : The Story of a Sound

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Coltrane: The Story of a Sound

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Coltrane: The Story of a Sound
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Coltrane: The Story of a Sound

by Ratliff, Ben

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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
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