On March 7th, 1963 saxophonist John Coltrane and a fledgeling vocalist named Johnny Hartman went to engineer Rudy Van Gelder’s studio in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey to record what would become a landmark recording on epic proportions. Both Hartman and Coltrane had a history together playing with the legendary Dizzy Gillespie during the late 1940‘s.

Upon producer Bob Thiele’s request for Coltrane to record a record of standards with the vocalist, Hartman was reluctant at first because he felt that he wasn’t apt to perform with the saxophonist and felt he wasn’t a jazz vocalist. After a performance with Trane at Birdland, the two, along with pianist McCoy Tyner, discussed the songs that they’d record for that session. In route to the studio, Hartman heard a version of Nat “King” Cole’s record “Lush Life” and wanted to record it instantly.

At 50 years old, John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman has stood the test of time. Trane’s quartet featured the legendary McCoy Tyner on piano, Jimmy Garrison on bass, and Elvin Jones on drums. The album was recorded in one take with the exception of “You Are Too Beautiful” in which Jones dropped one of his drumsticks during the first take.

This year McCoy Tyner will release a tribute record commemorating this recording. He plans to tour with vocalist Jose James and saxophonist Eric Alexander.
These guys have revived these 6 sings in ways that stay true to the recording. McCoy as always continues to master the simplistic nature of these standards as well as make them his own just like played them 50 years ago. Vocalist Jose James adds a fresh and innovative take on these songs as well as continues to grow as musician. Both James and saxophonist Eric Alexander are the next generation and legacy of jazz music. The two have rightfully become a new voice musically and are on their way to bigger and better projects, like this tribute.

For more information on the Coltrane/Hartman tribute disc, visit McCoy on the web at mccoytyner.com. Also, to keep up on vocalist Jose James and saxophonist Eric Alexander, you can visit them on the web at josejamesmusic.com and ericalexanderjazz.com.