John Coltrane
Tenor Sax Solo on
When Lights Are Low

About

John Coltrane's tenor sax solo is the second of three solos on this performance, following Miles Davis on trumpet. Spanning two choruses of the 32-bar AABA form in F at a moderate 125 BPM with a swing feel, davis takes two choruses, Coltrane two, and Garland one and a half. Coltrane's tenor saxophone work reflects a balance of technical fluency and melodic storytelling, building intensity through the course of the improvisation. "Tune Up/When Lights Are Low" from Cookin' with the Miles Davis Quintet is a medley that pairs two contrasting compositions, recorded during the prolific 1956 session at Rudy Van Gelder's studio.

John Coltrane was 29 to 30 years old at the time.