Ascension

by John Coltrane

Overview

Ascension is the single recording that placed John Coltrane firmly into the avant-garde. Whereas, prior to 1965, Coltrane could be heard playing in an avant vein with stretched-out solos, atonality, and a seemingly free design to the beat, Ascension throws most rules right out the window with complete freedom from the groove and strikingly abrasive sheets of horn interplay. Recorded with three tenors (Trane, Pharoah Sanders, Archie Shepp), two altos (Marion Brown, John Tchicai), two trumpet players (Freddie Hubbard, Dewey Johnson), two bassists (Art Davis, Jimmy Garrison), the lone McCoy Tyner on piano, and Elvin Jones on the drums, this large group is both relentless and soulful simultaneously. While there are segments where the ensemble plays discordant and abrasive skronks, these are usually segues into intriguing blues-based solos from each member. The comparison that is immediately realized is Ornette Coleman's Free Jazz of five years previous. However, it should be known that Ascension certainly carries its own weight, and in a strange sense makes Coleman's foray a passive adventure -- mostly due to an updated sonic quality (a la Bob Thiele) and also Trane's greater sense of passionate spiritualism. Timed at around 40 minutes, this can be a difficult listen at first, but with a patient ear and an appreciation for the finer things in life, the reward is a greater understanding of the personal path that the artist was on at that particular time in his development. Coltrane was always on an unceasing mission for personal expansion through the mouthpiece of his horn, but by the time of this recording he had begun to reach the level of "elder statesman" and to find other voices (Shepp, Sanders, and Marion Brown) to propel and expand his sounds and emotions. Therefore, Ascension reflects more of an event rather than just a jazz record and should be sought out by either experienced jazz appreciators or other open-minded listeners, but not by unsuspecting bystanders. [Verve reissued the album in 2009.] ~ Sam Samuelson

Product Details

Release Date:	03/24/2009
Label:	Impulse!
UPC:	0602517920248

Tracks

1. Ascension
2. Ascension

Album Credits

Performance Credits

John Coltrane   Primary Artist,Sax (Tenor)
Pharoah Sanders   Guest Artist,Sax (Tenor)
Elvin Jones   Guest Artist,Drums
McCoy Tyner   Guest Artist,Piano
Freddie Hubbard   Guest Artist,Trumpet
Marion Brown   Guest Artist,Sax (Alto)
Archie Shepp   Guest Artist,Sax (Tenor)
John Tchicai   Sax (Alto)
Jimmy Garrison   Bass
Art Davis   Bass
Dewey Johnson   Trumpet

Technical Credits

Robert Flynn   Cover Design
Rudy Van Gelder   Engineer
Tom Greenwood   Reissue Research,Reissue Production Coordination
Ben Young   Reissue Research
Peter Keepnews   Liner Editor
Charles Stewart   Photography
Chuck Stewart   Photography
Lewis Porter   Liner Notes
Jamie Krents   Research Assistant
Hollis King   Art Direction
Edward O'Dowd   Design
Joe Lebow   Liner Design
John Wriggle   Research Assistant,Reissue Production Assistance
Sherniece Smith   Art Producer
A.B. Spellman   Liner Notes
John Coltrane   Composer
Carlos Kase   Reissue Production Coordination,Reissue Research
Bryan Koniarz   Reissue Production Supervisor
Bob Thiele   Producer
Kevin Reeves   Mastering