John Coltrane
Tenor Sax Solo on
Time Was

About

John Coltrane leads off the solos with four choruses on tenor sax, the first of three improvisations on the recording. Taken at an up-tempo swing tempo of 197 BPM over the 32-bar AABA in A♭, the improvisation flows with assured, relaxed momentum. Red Garland follows with three piano choruses that balance bebop sophistication with his trademark elegance, his block chords and flowing right-hand lines providing a satisfying contrast to Coltrane's denser approach. Recorded for the album Coltrane in 1957, the performance captures John Coltrane at 30 to 31 years old. The 32-bar AABA form in A-flat provides a rich harmonic framework for extended improvisation, and Coltrane takes full advantage with four muscular tenor saxophone choruses that showcase his developing harmonic language.

John Coltrane was 30 to 31 years old at the time.