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October brings good news for jazz lovers. A rare recording of a live performance of John Coltrane’s album “A Love Supreme” will be released this Friday.
A resurfaced recording sparks interest in jazz fans.
“It’s like finding a book that nobody’s ever read,” said Timothy Farrell, professor of music and director of UNK’s Jazz/Rock Ensemble. “It’s just more stories and more beautiful playing just to share with everyone”
Released in 1965, “A Love Supreme” is one of the most influential jazz albums of the era and still holds true today. The four part album features the lead saxophone playing of John Coltrane as well as a tight and skilled rhythm section. “A Love Supreme” came at an important part of Coltrane’s life and was inspired to praise God.
After this album, Coltrane took his music in a different direction employing more of an atonal style before his death in 1967 at age 40, just two years after “A Love Supreme” was released. His untimely death never allowed him the opportunity to evolve further musically and left fans desiring more.
“A Love Supreme: Live in Seattle” will provide a rare glimpse into Coltrane’s mind and style from that time. There are only a few known performances of the album and now only two known recordings. According to NPR, the performance was recorded on reel-to-reel tape by Coltrane’s friend Joe Brazil. After recording this performance at The Penthouse in Seattle, Brazil put it away in his archives, not to see the light of day until after his death.
With the announcement of the release of the rare live album, Impulse put out “A Love Supreme Pt. IV – Psalm.” This piece has been a brief glimpse into what makes a full live performance so special.
Oct. 8 will answer more questions for fans and jazz enthusiasts.
“It gives you more insight into John Coltrane–his life, his playing, anything,” Farrell said. “Technically, musically, everything is brilliant.”