John Coltrane (1926–67) was an American jazz saxophonist, bandleader, and composer whose innovative improvisational styles made him an iconic figure in 20th-century jazz.
Coltrane rose to prominence after joining Miles Davis’s quintet in 1955. During this time, he developed his “sheets of sound” approach to improvisation, characterized by a rapid cascade of notes and complex chord progressions. Coltrane returned to Davis’s group in 1958 and formed his own quartet in 1960, playing both soprano and tenor saxophone. His study of Indian and African music influenced his approach to the soprano sax. From 1965 until his death in 1967, Coltrane’s work became free improvisation based on prearranged scales, which divided critics and audiences.