John Coltrane needs no introduction to jazz fans. However, most jazz fans know him through his work as a leader and as part of the Miles Davis quintet. Outside of his work with Miles Davis, very few are aware of his extensive work as a sideman on the Prestige label. Between 1956 and 1958, Coltrane was a notable sideman for greats like Tadd Dameron, Red Garland, Elmo Hope, Sonny Rollins, Gene Ammons and more.
Side Steps is a 5-CD set consisting of 43 songs that highlights all of Coltrane’s session work as a Prestige sideman, from 1956 to 1958, sans his work with Miles Davis. The set comes with a wonderful 70 page booklet full of rare session photos and information. It’s a collection worthy of owning for any serious Coltrane fan.
Filed under: bebop, Digital, Hard bop, Jazz, Post Bop, Jazz, John Coltrane, Prestige, Side Steps
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Atane Ofiaja, Naija Candy and GoodTwitty, Maryam Loves Jazz. Maryam Loves Jazz said: RT @atane: New blog post – The Side Steps of John Coltrane – http://bit.ly/9qSTD4 – the seldom talked about sideman career of Coltrane #jazz [...]
[...] few months ago, I blogged about the Side Steps of John Coltrane CD boxset. The boxset highlighted his work as a sideman on Prestige Records. Fearless Leader [...]
[...] Bahia was the beginning of a more musically adventurous and globally conscious Coltrane. Plotting the timeline of Trane shows that the transition to full blown avant-garde and free jazz in his later years was at least a decade in the making. It was not spontaneous, like many people make it out to be. He didn’t just wake up one day deciding to play avant-garde. Despite his passing at only 40, his output of material was staggering. Particulary his work on the Prestige label, which includes Bahia. I blogged about his work as a leader on the label here, and as a sideman on the label here. [...]