If an audio recording is simply a snapshot of a musical moment in time, then the four hours in December 1964 that gave us John Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme” constitute one of the finest moments of the 20th century.
For Coltrane, that night marked the culmination of years of musical study, and a lifetime of spiritual exploration. It’s as if all roads in Coltrane’s life were leading to that evening in a studio in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey when he and his quartet recorded that revered four part suite, a performance that has been challenging and rewarding musical sensibilities for nearly 40 years. “A Love Supreme,” John Coltrane’s giant step for jazz and humble gift to God.
Guests:
Ashley Kahn, author of “A Love Supreme: The Story of John Coltrane’s Signature Album”
Elvin Jones, drummer and member of the quartet that recorded “A Love Supreme.”