The Last Trane

The Last Trane represents the final studio session for Prestige in the productive recording relationship between John Coltrane and Red Garland. Often with trumpeter Donald Byrd on board, the two made a succession of dates in 1957 and '58 in which Coltrane's genius could be heard developing. His celebrated job with Thelonious Monk had deepened his harmonic understanding and reinforced his determination to explore beyond the boundaries of standard jazz improvisation. With Donald Byrd, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, Louis Hayes, Earl May, Arthur Taylor. In his remarkable blues solo on "By the Numbers," Coltrane both affirms his roots and announces a new direction. Comparison with the other slow blues, "Slow Trane," made eight months earlier, is instructive. Tracks: Lover, Slow Trane, By the Numbers, Come Rain or Come Shine.