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Authors

Aylea Stephens

Keywords

Dependable, Primary, Gary Golio, Ruby Gutierrez, Jazz, John Coltrane, Music, Saxophone, History, Biography, Nonfiction, Picture Book

Document Type

Book Review

Abstract

John Coltrane lived in a world full of music. He heard it at church, and especially at home. When his father, grandfather, and grandmother all died within a short time, he wasn’t sure life could ever be okay again. His family had no money, but John turned to music to fill the hole where his Papa had been. He learned the alto saxophone, and it gave him voice. He listened to big bands and one day he listened to Charlie “Bird” Parker playing a new type of jazz, bebop, that John loved and began playing as he toured around. Still, he felt like his life was dark and empty. He lost his job because of drugs and alcohol, but he turned to the Spirit to heal him and it helped him play better than ever. This book is a story of both jazz and religion. It is an unusual picture book in that it has a lot of text and deals with difficult subjects such as drugs and alcoholism, but it shows the development of one of the most well-known jazz saxophone players. The illustrations have bright colors that capture the vibrant spirit of jazz music. This book will be especially appealing for older children who want to learn more about jazz or about how religion can change someone’s life.

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