Archive · 25 Sep 2026
John Coltrane at 100: India’s Influence on His Music
John Coltrane was a famous saxophone player who became interested in Indian music and ideas.
He had never been to India, but he listened to Indian records and learned from sitar player Ravi Shankar.
In 1961, he recorded a song called “India” in New York.
He later made another searching piece called “Om.”
Some critics thought this music moved too far away from regular jazz.
Coltrane had grown up in North Carolina and started playing saxophone as a teenager.
He later joined Miles Davis’s group while racial segregation and discrimination were widespread.
His song “Alabama” expressed grief after four African-American girls were killed in a Ku Klux Klan bombing.
Coltrane recorded “India” at New York’s Village Vanguard in 1961, despite never visiting the country.
His interest in India grew through records and lessons associated with sitar player Pandit Ravi Shankar.
Coltrane later recorded “Om” and was criticized by some for moving beyond conventional jazz.
His composition “Alabama” reflected the 1963 Ku Klux Klan bombing that killed four African-American girls.
Coltrane’s career developed amid racial discrimination, including during his time with Miles Davis’s quintet.
- Who
- Saxophonist John Coltrane, with influences from Ravi Shankar and professional associations with Miles Davis.
- What
- Coltrane’s music incorporated Indian musical and philosophical influences while also responding to racial violence and discrimination.
- When
- He recorded “India” in 1961; the article also discusses his centenary on September 23.
- Where
- “India” was recorded at the Village Vanguard in New York; Coltrane was born in North Carolina.
- Why
- He was exploring Indian music and philosophy and seeking musical directions beyond conventional jazz.
Conventional Jazz Critics
Coltrane’s Expanding Vision
Musical direction
Conventional Jazz Critics
Some critics viewed Coltrane’s later exploration as anti-jazz.
Coltrane’s Expanding Vision
Coltrane was looking beyond conventional jazz, drawing on Indian music and philosophy.
Meaning of “India”
Conventional Jazz Critics
The piece could be seen as a departure from established jazz conventions.
Coltrane’s Expanding Vision
The composition came closer to capturing Hindustani classical influences than his later “Om,” according to the article.
- Artist
- John Coltrane
- Key recording
- “India”
- Recording date
- 1961
- Recording venue
- Village Vanguard, New York
- Indian influence
- Pandit Ravi Shankar’s records and lessons
- Related composition
- “Om”
- Civil-rights-related work
- “Alabama”