The Believer (2016 Remaster) John Coltrane Quartet

• 1 The Believer 13:50
• 2 Nakatini Serenade 11:03
• 3 Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful? 05:16
• 4 Filidia 07:17
• 5 Paul's Pal 07:15
• Total Runtime 44:41

Info for The Believer (2016 Remaster)

On this outing compiled from sessions in 1957 and 1958, one of the many stellar releases for the Prestige Label, John Coltrane is fine form. Backed by a bigger cast of players this time, which created a somewhat different sound, Coltrane showed off his still blossoming mastery of his art. Jazz greats like Red Garland, Paul Chambers, and Freddie Hubbard play along side Coltrane on this set. This album also offers a unique tuba/tenor sax interplay on two cuts, that showed how Coltrane loved to experiment with different sounds and styles. The Believer offers two bonus tracks as well. An excellent album and a truly overlooked Coltrane classic. A must have for all Coltrane fans.

„The Believer offers an early glimpse at the talents of a still-developing John Coltrane. Recorded in the late '50s while he was still a member of the Miles Davis Sextet, this early solo outing finds Coltrane confident but just beginning to explore the kind of modalities with which he would soon revolutionize the world of jazz. One of the reasons Coltrane is so at ease here is the familiar setting: he's joined by fellow Davis cohorts Paul Chambers and Red Garland, among others. Drummer Louis Hayes provides a Latin-inflected beat on "Nakatini Serenade," as Coltrane and Donald Byrd soar above the rhythm section. The understated Rogers & Hammerstein standard "Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful" presents Coltrane the balladeer waxing lyrical over the subtle dynamics. Things to come are hinted at briefly in flurries of notes here and there, and it's fascinating to listen to the early work of this developing genius.“ (AMG)

Tracks 1-3:
John Coltrane, tenor saxophone
Red Garland, piano
Paul Chambers, bass
Donald Byrd, trumpet (tracks 1-2)
Freddie Hubbard, trumpet (track 3)
Louis Hayes, drums (tracks1-2)
Art Taylor, drums (track 3)

Tracks 4-5:
John Coltrane, tenor saxophone
Gil Coggins, piano
Ray Draper, tuba
Spanky DeBrest, bass
Larry Richie, drums

Recorded December 20, 1957 (4-5), January 10, 1958 (1-2), December 26, 1958 (3) at Van Gelder Studio, Hackensack
Produced by Bob Weinstock and Esmond Edwards (track 3)

Digitally remastered

John Coltrane
Born September 23, 1926 in Hamlet, North Carolina, John Coltrane was always surrounded by music. His father played several instruments sparking Coltrane’s study of E-flat horn and clarinet. While in high school, Coltrane’s musical influences shifted to the likes of Lester Young and Johnny Hodges prompting him to switch to alto saxophone. He continued his musical training in Philadelphia at Granoff Studios and the Ornstein School of Music. He was called to military service during WWII, where he performed in the U.S. Navy Band in Hawaii.

After the war, Coltrane began playing tenor saxophone with the Eddie 'CleanHead' Vinson Band, and was later quoted as saying, 'A wider area of listening opened up for me. There were many things that people like Hawk, and Ben and Tab Smith were doing in the ‘40’s that I didn’t understand, but that I felt emotionally.' Prior to joining the Dizzy Gillespie band, Coltrane performed with Jimmy Heath where his passion for experimentation began to take shape. However, it was his work with the Miles Davis Quintet in 1958 that would lead to his own musical evolution. ' Miles music gave me plenty of freedom,' he once said. During that period, he became known for using the three-on-one chord approach, and what has been called the ‘sheets of sound,’ a method of playing multiple notes at one time.

By 1960 Coltrane had formed his own quartet which included pianist McCoy Tyner, drummer Elvin Jones, and bassist Jimmy Garrison. Eventually adding players like Eric Dolphy, and Pharoah Sanders. The John Coltrane Quartet created some of the most innovative and expressive music in Jazz history including the hit albums: 'My Favorite Things,' 'Africa Brass,' ' Impressions,' ' Giant Steps,' and his monumental work 'A Love Supreme' which attests to the power, glory, love, and greatness of God. Coltrane felt we must all make a conscious effort to effect positive change in the world, and that his music was an instrument to create positive thought patterns in the minds of people.

In 1967, liver disease took Coltrane’s life leaving many to wonder what might have been. Yet decades after his departure his music can be heard in motion pictures, on television and radio. Recent film projects that have made references to Coltrane’s artistry in dialogue or musical compositions include, 'Mr. Holland’s Opus', 'The General’s Daughter', 'Malcolm X', 'Mo Better Blues', 'Jerry McGuire', 'White Night', 'The Last Graduation', 'Come Unto Thee', 'Eyes On The Prize II' and 'Four Little Girls'. Also, popular television series such as 'NYPD Blue', 'The Cosby Show', 'Day’s Of Our Lives', 'Crime Stories' and 'ER', have also relied on the beautiful melodies of this distinguished saxophonist.

In 1972, 'A Love Supreme' was certified gold by the RIAA for exceeding 500,000 units in Japan. This jazz classic and the classic album 'My Favorite Things' were certified gold in the United States in 2001.

In 1982, the RIAA posthumously awarded John Coltrane a Grammy Award of ' Best Jazz Solo Performance' for the work on his album, 'Bye Bye Blackbird'. In 1997 he received the organizations highest honor, the Lifetime Achievement Award.

On June 18, 1993 Mrs. Alice Coltrane received an invitation to The White House from former President and Mrs. Clinton, in appreciation of John Coltrane’s historical appearance at the Newport Jazz Festival.

In 1995, John Coltrane was honored by the United States Postal Service with a commemorative postage stamp. Issued as part of the musicians and composers series, this collectors item remains in circulation.

In 1999, Universal Studios and its recording division MCA Records recognized John Coltrane’s influence on cinema by naming a street on the Universal Studios lot in his honor.

In 2001, The NEA and the RIAA released 360 songs of the Century . Among them was John Coltrane’s 'My Favorite Things.' (Source: www.johncoltrane.com)

Booklet for The Believer (2016 Remaster)