John Coltrane's Innovation in "In a Sentimental Mood"

Introduction: Coltrane's Legacy of Innovation

"John Coltrane's brief career was one of constant evolution, and the innovations of each period of his development have had ramifications for the playing of virtually every contemporary jazz player" (Baker 1990, p. 11). Coltrane's level of innovation was unprecedented and remains unmatched to this day. He is now one of the most celebrated artists in jazz, yet he did not always embody the traditional styles of his era. Although there are clear similarities between In a Sentimental Mood and the broader genre, the piece most often stands out as a work of great innovation and change. Coltrane's implementation of complex chord changes and progressions, along with the incorporation of international musical themes, proves the song to be remarkably unique when compared to the wider genre.

Background: The Recording and Its Origins

The song itself is an impressive piece of musical synergy between the instruments involved. John Coltrane performed on soprano saxophone alongside Duke Ellington, creating the masterpiece that is In a Sentimental Mood in 1962. One of the most impressive aspects of the entire piece is that it was recorded in a single take (Ratcliff 2008). The song appears on the album Duke Ellington & John Coltrane and was originally composed by Duke Ellington in 1935, written after he was inspired by a dance. For this particular recording, Ellington used his own bassist and drummer and played piano himself.

Coltrane performed on the soprano saxophone — one of the first elements that signals just how different this piece is from other jazz being produced at the time. The song features a very slow rhythm, with the bass carrying sixteenth notes rather than eighth notes. The low lull of the walking bass slows the tempo down, while the complexity of the solo brings incredible depth to the piece.

Hard Bop Characteristics and Coltrane's Place in the Genre

There are so many subgroups within the larger jazz genre that it is important to place John Coltrane within the genre he was typically associated with at the time, in order to understand how he either upheld or departed from its common characteristics in In a Sentimental Mood. Coltrane was originally working within the Hard Bop genre, which began in the 1950s and carried into the 1960s. Hard Bop had developed from Bebop, but with a more intense rhythmic drive. Other defining characteristics of the style include a less harmonically complex approach that is easier to sing along to, as well as a greater inclusion of gospel and blues influences.

Traditional Jazz Elements in the Piece

Understanding these general characteristics helps reveal that the piece does draw on certain common elements of the broader genre. The shared characteristics are relatively foundational, yet they still demonstrate a meaningful link between the two. First, the piece is centered on using the saxophone to mimic the human voice. In this, the song shares a common characteristic with jazz broadly, in which musical instruments often aim to emulate the tonal range the human voice is capable of producing. Saxophones and other horn instruments, like the trumpet, are often used to stand in for human voices singing in similar modal structures. Listening to the piece, it is clear that Coltrane's saxophone solos emulate the sound of singing, and in certain sections they follow where vocal choruses would otherwise appear. In doing so, Coltrane is drawing on a traditional element of the genre.

Additionally, there are instances of syncopation between the saxophone and the piano. This also follows a much older, traditional structure in jazz. For generations, Ragtime, Swing, and Jazz have all employed syncopation through call-and-response themes between the various instruments within a single piece. Although the call-and-response is not the dominant feature of the song, In a Sentimental Mood does contain a number of moments where Coltrane and Ellington are clearly communicating through their instruments within the context of the performance. Finally, the presence of a low, walking bass bolsters the backbone of the song — also a common feature of jazz at the time. In these ways, Coltrane demonstrates clear use of traditional techniques drawn from the larger jazz tradition.

Conclusion: A Uniquely Coltrane Sound

Although Coltrane began his career in Hard Bop, pieces like In a Sentimental Mood demonstrate his clear distancing from the basic tenets of the genre. He still employs traditional jazz components — such as syncopation and a walking bass — to tie the piece to its roots. However, Coltrane takes considerable artistic freedom with his interpretation, and through his distinctive techniques, listeners are introduced to a style that is entirely his own. He was unwilling to be confined by the limitations of a single genre, and instead drew on techniques and influences from a wide variety of musical traditions. His personalization of the piece is precisely what makes it so remarkable. For all of his sophistication and innovation, John Coltrane is now rightly regarded as one of the most important figures in modern jazz.

References

Baker, David. (1990). The Jazz Style of John Coltrane: A Musical and Historical Perspective. Alfred Music Publishing.

Giddins, Gary. (2000). Riding on a Blue Note: Jazz and American Pop. Da Capo Press.

Ratcliff, Ben. (2008). Coltrane: The Story of a Sound. MacMillan Publishing.