John Coltrane Side Steps
Tick tock, the clock is on and every minute in the studio
counts and costs. This is usually the case when it comes to recording music.
When it comes to recording John Coltrane, there is a stream of consciousness
that is connected with the almighty powers above opening endless possibilities
of split second thoughts that formulate ten fold before the split of that
second has come to a conclusion.
It is the mid fifties and every musician, especially jazz musicians needs a gig. There is the leader and then there are the sideman! “Side Steps” is a look an at these sidemen, one in particular who for two years during 1955 and 1957 was considered a sideman or band member before forging out on his own to find and discover the indelible life force in the spirit of the music.
Trane, use to playing within the confine of larger bands, soon grasped the concept of freedom while given the oasis of modality by Miles who innately knew that John’s sound would blossom. But Trane went through the ranks as well, working along “side” of a number of musicians primarily under the auspices of Prestige records. During this time as session player and man on the side, Trane matured immensely and you can hear that sound progression in the two-year stint that is “Side Steps”
“Side Steps” is a five disc collective of recordings from that period originally released on Prestige Records and recently released by the Concord Music Group in one beautifully crafted box set with pictures and descriptions of all of the session recordings. It chronicles the sessions and evolution of sound as Trane applied the thought and ideas of his newly found creative freedom to his part in the music. Listening close to the sessions with Elmo Hope, Mal Waldron, Tadd Damaron, Sonny Rollins, Red Garland, Ray Draper and Gene Ammons you can feel the development as time progressed.
This set is a wonderful way to experience greatness in the making and the classic sounds of some great giants in jazz whose sound is ingrained into how we have grown and resonate with the music. Prestige Records, creating a part of audible history and a part of your life!
LeRoy Downs
