Do you have some time on your hands? Not too sure on what to do with it? Here's an enjoyable way to pass some of that time. I picked 7 videos of John Coltrane's live performances for your viewing pleasure! Enjoy ~
The first 4 videos are from a 1960s show called "Ralph Gleason's Jazz Casual".
Coltrane performs here with his classic quartet: Coltrane on Tenor and Soprano Sax; McCoy Tyner on Piano; Jimmy Garrison on Bass; and Elvin Jones on Drums. Songs performed are: Afro Blue (M. Santamaria); Alabama (J. Coltrane); and Impressions (J. Coltrane).
It was originally recorded at KQED Studios in San Francisco, CA on November 1, 1963 and first broadcast February 18, 1964 on the National Educational Television Network. This is the only known North American television appearance of the John Coltrane Quartet.
Naima is a ballad composed by John Coltrane in 1959, and named after his then-wife, Juanita Naima Grubbs. It first appeared on the album Giant Steps, and is notable for its use of a variety of rich chords over a bass pedal. It is mainly made up of a slow, restrained melody, though there is also a brief piano solo.
One of Coltrane's most famous compositions, he recorded it numerous times. Naima may be found in Live! at the Village Vanguard, The Complete 1961 Copenhagen Concert, Afro-Blue Impressions, Live at the Village Vanguard Again!, among other albums. Naima has since become something of a jazz standard, covered by many other musicians. (wikipedia)
John Coltrane does a modal rendition of the Rodgers and Hammerstein song "My Favorite Things" (from The Sound of Music.) Here is a 10.5 minute video version of it performed by his quartet with Eric Dolphy sitting in on flute. (It looks like Eric Dolphy. Please correct if I'm wrong.)
This last video (28 March 1960) is lacking clarity but it is the only documented performance of John Coltrane with Stan Getz. Depending on who you ask, they are either doing Hackensack (Thelonious Monk) or Rifftide (Coleman Hawkins). Oscar Peterson sits in on piano with Paul Chambers (bass) and Jimmy Cobb (drums).
Even if you're not a Coltrane fan, I hope that you found a video today that piqued your curiosity and enticed you into finding out more about his music and/or his life! 