Category - John Coltrane

Discover the thoughtful and inspirational Quotes of John Coltrane, a philosopher and author. Our collection of his most impactful quotes reflects his deep understanding of language, philosophy, and history.
Whether seeking thought-provoking reflections or academic wisdom, John Coltranes words offer a rich source of intellectual inspiration. #JohnColtrane John Coltrane Motivational Quotes of John Coltrane

John Coltrane

I’ve been devoting quite a bit of my time to harmonic studies on my own, in libraries and places like that. I’ve found you’ve got to look back at the old things and see them in a new light.

– John Coltrane

John Coltrane

From a technical viewpoint, I have certain things I’d like to present in my solos. To do this, I have to get the right material. It has to swing, and it has to be varied.

– John Coltrane

John Coltrane

I’ve been listening to jazzmen, especially saxophonists, since the time of the early Count Basie records, which featured Lester Young. Pres was my first real influence, but the first horn I got was an alto, not a tenor.

– John Coltrane

John Coltrane

I start from one point and go as far as possible. But, unfortunately, I never lose my way. I ‘localize,’ which is to say that I think always in a given space. I rarely think of the whole of a solo, and only very briefly. I always return to the small part of the solo that I was in the process of playing.

– John Coltrane

John Coltrane

I think I was first awakened to musical exploration by Dizzy Gillespie and Bird. It was through their work that I began to learn about musical structures and the more theoretical aspects of music.

– John Coltrane

John Coltrane

In the year of 1957, I experienced, by the grace of God, a spiritual awakening, which was to lead me to a richer, fuller, more productive life.

– John Coltrane

John Coltrane

Sometimes you have to take a thing when it comes and be glad. I first began to feel this way in ’57, when I started to get myself together musically, although at the time I was working academically and technically.

– John Coltrane

John Coltrane

Thankfully now, through the merciful hand of God, I do perceive and have been fully reinformed of his omnipotence. It is truly a love supreme.

– John Coltrane

John Coltrane

I’ve always felt that even though a man was not a Christian, he still has to know the truth some way or another. Or if he was a Christian, he could know the truth. The truth itself doesn’t have any name on it to me. And each man has to find this for himself, I think.

– John Coltrane

John Coltrane

My goal is to live the truly religious life and express it through my music. If you can live it, there’s no problem about the music, because it’s part of the whole thing.

– John Coltrane

John Coltrane

I find it’s only when something is trying to come through I really practice. And then, I don’t know how many hours. It’s all day.

– John Coltrane

John Coltrane

My mother had aspirations to become a concert singer. Her Methodist Minister father didn’t approve of young girls leaving home until they married, so she had to pass it up.

– John Coltrane

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