e an incredible learning experience for Coltrane. He began to develop a style distinctly his own. “Coltrane poured out streams of notes with velocity and passion, exploring every melodic idea, no matter how exotic.” This became known as Coltrane’s “sheets of sound period”, in which he would explore the scales of the saxophone at a speed that no one had ever achieved, creating very dense musical textures . The Davis band did very well for a time, and made several recordings; however, in late 1956, Coltrane was fired from the band because of his debilitating heroin addiction. At this point, Coltrane almost gave up music. He actually went to the New York Post Office, and filled out an application to be a postman. He and Naima moved from New York to Philadelphia in November of that year and lived in his mother’s house there. Again, his life reached a low. Drugs and alcohol controlled him. Coltrane realized at this point that he needed to choose between drugs or music. He chose music. For two-weeks, he locked himself in his room and went through a very painful withdrawal. When he left that room, he was a cured man, and never touched heroin or alcohol again. During those two weeks, Coltrane had undergone a spiritual rebirth that would send him on his quest to find “the mysterious sound” . This transformation was documented on his album A Love Supreme (1964), considered by many to be the best recording of his solo career. On the album cover, Coltrane wrote- “During the year 1957, I experienced, by the grace of God, a spiritual awakening which has guided me to a richer, fuller, more productive life. At that time, in gratitude, I humbly asked to be given the means and privilege to make others happy through music. I feel this has been granted through His grace. ALL PRAISE TO GOD.” The album is divided into four parts: Acknowledgment, Resolution, Pursuance, and Psalm. Each part details a ...
