Vocal Jazz: Coltrane 100
On 23 September 2026, it will be exactly 100 years since John Coltrane was born.
The legendary tenor saxophonist had an enormous influence on the development of jazz and composed at least 100 pieces.
Lyrics have been written for a number of them.
In this vocal tribute to Coltrane, we hear ten of these compositions.
1957, from the album Coltrane (also released as The First Trane)
Straight Street – lyrics by Robert Nissim
Francesca Sortino – With My Heart in a Song (1998)
Jim McNeely (piano), Rick Margitza (tenor saxophone), Harvey Swartz (bass), Eliot Zigmund (drums)
1957, from the album Blue Trane
Lazy Bird (“Lightning”) – lyrics by Chris Caswell
Karrin Allyson – Footprints (2006)
Bruce Barth (piano), Peter Washington (bass), Todd Strait (drums), Frank Wess (tenor saxophone)
Moment’s Notice (“Noticing the Moment”) – lyrics by Peter Eldridge and Kim Nazarian
New York Voices – A Day Like This (2007)
Darmon Meader, Peter Eldridge, Kim Nazarian, Lauren Kinhan (vocals)
Darmon Meader (tenor saxophone), Peter Eldridge (piano), Jay Ashby (trombone solo)
Special guests include Bob Mintzer, Gil Goldstein and Paquito D’Rivera
1960, from the album Coltrane’s Sound
Equinox (“A Long Way to Go”) – lyrics by Chris Caswell
Karrin Allyson – Footprints (2006)
Nancy King (vocals), Bruce Barth (piano), Peter Washington (bass), Todd Strait (drums)
Central Park West – lyrics by José James
José James – The Dreamer (2008)
Nori Ochiai (piano), Alexi David (bass), Luke Damrosch (drums)
1960, three compositions from the album Giant Steps
Giant Steps – lyrics by Betty Neal
Dorothy Doring – Southern Exposure (2006)
David Torkanowsky (piano, arrangements), Derek Douget (tenor saxophone), Edwin Livingstone, Neal Caine (bass), Simon Lott (drums)
Giant Steps – lyrics by Meredith D’Ambrosio
Fay Claassen – Specially Arranged for Fay (2003)
Millennium Big Band, conducted by Joan Reinders
Naima – French lyrics by Caroline Nadeau
Caroline Nadeau – Si Fragil (2007)
Julie Lamontagne (piano), François Marion (bass), Jim Doxas (drums)
Mr. P.C. – lyrics by Jon Hendricks
Lambert, Hendricks & Ross – Home Cookin’ (1996)
Ike Isaacs Trio
Gildo Mahones (piano), Ike Isaacs (bass), Jimmy Wormworth (drums)
1963, from the album Impressions
After the Rain – lyrics by Michelle Nicole
Michelle Nicole – After the Rain (2001)
Geoff Hughes (guitar), Howard Cairns (drums)
1964, from the album Crescent
Lonnie’s Lament
Barbara Higbie – I Surrender (1996)
Barbara Higbie (piano, violin, guitar, Celtic harp, synthesizer and bouzouki)
Giant Steps
John Coltrane – Coltrane (1957)
Mal Waldron (piano), Sahib Shihab (baritone saxophone), Paul Chambers (bass), Albert “Tootie” Heath (drums)
Pictured: John Coltrane
