CiTR

Tonight's Jazz Feature from March of 1960 was John Coltrane's last hurrah as a regular sideman with Miles Davis. Coltrane by this time had recorded several important albums under his own name and was at this time the most influential voice of the tenor saxophone. He was also part of Miles Davis' bands. Miles, with the departure of alto saxophonist Julian "Cannonball" Adderley had reverted to a quintet. A tour of Europe came up un early 1960 and although Miles' rhythm section was committed with Wynton Kelly on piano, Paul Chambers on bass and Jimmy Cobb on drums John Coltrane was not. When asked he said "no" and Davis begged him to do this tour and after much pleading, Coltrane said "okay". Tonight's recordings show Coltrane working on some new approaches and using the freedom he was given to experiment and play as long as he wished and he took full advantage of this opportunity with some amazing results. Miles is inspired as is the rest of the band and the audience in Sweden is very receptive of Coltrane's playing as it must have shocked more than a few. We are lucky to have these documents and the Swedish concert is special in that after the selections finish, we'll here a short interview with Coltrane done backstage at Konserthuset in Stockholm on March 22, 1960. Hear it tonight and you'll be glad you did!