Chasing Trane: The John Coltrane Documentary

We live in horribly divisive times. Racially, politically, culturally, economically, Americans have rarely been more divided. Coltrane was a uniting force in America, a man who struggled with his own demons and emerged to deliver a message of hope and redemption - all through the most sublime music -a message that we would do well to remember today.

This film is a wonderful tribute to one of our greatest artists. When most of us were content to bask in his artistry, Coltrane was already 10 miles down the road to some other achievement.

We use the word genius too liberally, but Trane was a genius.

A simple and lively tribute to the legendary jazzman, "Chasing Trane: The John Coltrane Documentary" charts the life and storied career of one of the giants of Popular Music. Highlighting Coltrane's tale from his difficult childhood to his late bloomer ascent in music the documentary depicts with energy and verve the man's association and works with fellow luminaries Charlie Parker and Miles Davis and to his own unique and innovative career. Priceless images and footage amplify the legend with interviews of the man's family, musical peers, biographers, critics and celebrity fans. With Denzel Washington narrating Coltrane's words Carlos Santana, John Densmore, Sonny Rollins, Bill Clinton (!) and others share their interesting tributes showing Coltrane's profound impact on those influenced by him. An unhinged Cornel West offers some amusing comic relief. Strangely Coltrane's own voice is not used in the flick and his canonization as a saint by the African church isn't discussed. Regardless of what the director thought of this it is a part of the man's legacy and should have been touched on. The film augments the legend and the myth with the background and the times the man lived in that shaped his character and outlook inspiring his one of a kind art. While nothing exemplary this colorful memorial to one of the musical titans of the 20th-Century is one Jazz and music fans should not miss.

John Coltrane apprenticed with all the jazz greats; developed but recovered from a heroin addiction; pioneered a style all of his own; and died tragically young, aged just 40, of liver cancer. We might think of musicians as party animals but by all accounts in this film, Coltrane was a fundamentally serious person, and a genius. The film is a fairly typical documentary, reverential in tone, with lots of his music to listen to. Also there are a lot of talking heads, and while Bill Clinton is not unintelligent in his comments, I'm not sure he's really among the best qualified people to give us insight. What's missing is any sort of musical analysis: we get to hear the man in action, but if you wanted to understand how his work fitted into, and transcended, the jazz traditon, or why it sounded so revolutionary when first released, you might be disappointed. Banal comments likening what Coltrane did on the saxaphone to what Hendrix did on the electric guitar don't really explain either. But the programme does succeed in making you like the man: unlike fellow genius Miles Davis, he seems to have been a nice person, which is quite unusual for someone so talented.

Beautiful portrait of John Coltrane. Written and directed by John Scheinfeld and released in 2017, this documentary describes Coltrane's life from childhood until his premature death, at age 40. It also deals with Trane's heroin and alcohol addictions, and how he rebounded by sheer willpower. His life was spared and his music improved. The documentary features many interviews of friends, fans and family members. Wonderful pictures and exclusive footage are shown. Denzel Washington lends his voice reading excerpts from interviews.

Jazz fans will enjoy this documentary, very informative.

Length: 1hr 39min

An excellent and very watchable overview of the saxophone angel known as John Coltrane. From his early beginnings as a musician while serving in the Armed Forces, through his apprenticeship with the genius that was Dizzy Gillespie, and then on to his work with Miles Davies before his recording of his 'spiritual' album 'Love Supreme', this film interweaves the man, his music and his family life in an entertaining and thoughtful way. The feelings of those musicians he worked with (or who were simply influenced in some way by him) are palpable and evidence his genius and force of personality. For a man who died at 40 (I'd known he died young but not that young), Trane packed a lot in and left us with a fabulous catalogue of music. This film is well-worth watching whether or not you are familiar with Coltrane's music. Highly recommended.