Happy Birthday, John Coltrane

September 23 is the birthday of a real giant in the world of jazz, John Coltrane (1926-1967), who "challenged himself artistically to a greater extent than any saxophonist in jazz's history," according to Len Lyons.

Coltrane plays "Giant Steps" (with animated sheet music) here, a good example of what critic Ira Gitler referred to as the "sheets of sound" that Coltrane produced.

In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons recommends four albums by Coltrane, all of which are available in CD:

• Giant Steps (Purchase at Barnes & Noble.)
  
• My Favorite Things (Purchase at Barnes & Noble.)
  
• Live at the Village Vanguard (Purchase at Barnes & Noble.)
  
• A Love Supreme (Purchase at Barnes & Noble.)
  

Robert