John Coltrane's Spirituality & Philosophy of Music

John Coltrane is known as one of the most famous saxophone players in history, but he also had a fascinating life involving philosophical and spiritual pursuits. This video explores that aspect of his life.
Listen to my new song Isthmus here: open.spotify.com/track/1jM0FK...
Find me and my music (including new song "Isthmus") here: linktr.ee/filipholm
Original music by:
Filip Holm
Golden Age Radio
Nocturnal Spirits
Banaras Bana & Kolkata Kid
Sources & Recomended Reading:
Beck, Guy L. (2009). "Sonic Theology: Hinduism and Sacred Sound". University South Carolina Pr.
Berkman, Franya J. (2007). "Appropriating Universality: The Coltranes and 1960s Spirituality". American Studies Vol. 48, No. 1 (Spring 2007), pp. 41-62
Lavezzoli, Peter (2007). "The Dawn of Indian Music in the West". Continuum; New edition.

[@YouTubdotCub]

Alice Coltrane deserves a video of her own, I have been moved to tears listening to Journey in Satchidananda so many times.

[@FilipHolm]

She probably does, honestly

[@octopusmime]

Me too dude . Shiva Loka. Oh Allah. The entire Transcendence album. Om Rama. I have her picture framed on my wall. She is one of my gurus. I love & am in awe of her. ❤

[@WowJustWow37]

She is the teacher to many of us. Her hymns have lifted my life, and she even wrote books I intend to buy.

[@afk_hesh]

​@@FilipHolmif you make that video I'll subscribe

[@octopusmime]

beautiful @@WowJustWow37

[@Goatchild90]

John Coltrane is the definition of a legend. An icon of the highest order. R.I.P. to him and Alice.

[@Ryo7_7]

Indeed

[@komicsreviewer8505]

BLACK lives Matter!!

[@ractmo]

Bro I am seeing you in every music or music related videos!!

[@david100r3]

The great Pharoah Sanders is a good example too, spiritual sound 🎷

[@Whodatbuoy]

YOU LEGEND. Was not expecting a music/religion crossover!

[@FilipHolm]

;)

[@jaxobophiuchi676]

Second that. Incredible.

[@hanskung3278]

Oooohhhmmmmm.........

[@soulance8342]

This is a divine journey, instant sub, looking forward to everything you share on this channel

[@jeev4divine]

Great video! A spiritual awakening occured for me 5 yrs ago. As a painter, my art has evolved from mundane,worldly, to the divine. Shri Krishna, Radha, and Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj. Yes, spirituality is Grace of God when life knocks you down. Sanatana Vedic Dharma(Hinduism) was revealed to me but not from any person. John Coltrane was Graced by God with the addiction and the path away from addiction lead him to God. 🕉🎶

[@cristinahutchins1902]

So timely! I am currently reading jazz saxaphonist and professor of physics, Stephon Alexander's, "The Jazz of Physics" where Coltrane's music features prominently in Alexander's thesis that there is a secret link between music and the structure of the universe. Thanks for this talk featuring John Coltrane! 🙏🙏🙏

[@FilipHolm]

Oh that sounds very interesting!

[@ethanluvisia8678]

Such a great book, I’m also reading this now!

[@starjun97]

I have that as an audiobook I just re-download it thanks

[@alexandervideo3804]

Yes, timely!

[@chrisgentes8737]

thank you for sharing this book info. another door opens

[@josef2012]

Went to a service at the St.John Coltrane Church in San Francisco in the mid-90's.I couldn't get in ,the place was so packed+raucous, music spilling out of everywhere! Amazing energy coming out of that space 🙏💗 Hari Om

[@kasturiswami784]

In India it is called nadopasana.through music one can attain oneness with god or whatever name you call. Unifying thing. That is why musicians in India while singing never wear footwear as it is like prayer.

[@scottkunghadrengsen2604]

Great video Thank you! Here in San Francisco, California we have the Church of John Coltrane where his later compositions are played as devotionals and he is seen as a Saint. Many local musicians are directly influenced by this and have played there and passed through his legacy. Alice (RIP) founded an Ashram in Los Angeles which still functions. I feel she continued the spiritual thread of his musical work, especially as a harpist. There is a story that when they met she showed him some saxophone notation she had scribbled on a napkin. She asked him to play it. John said "I am sorry, it is too difficult." Alice countered, " Funny, you just did." as she had transcribed it from his previous set.. Worth mentioning that he named his son "Ravi".

[@cryse_rox]

Hey! I am currently working on a piece about Alice Coltrane. Would you happen to know anyone that had the chance to meet Alice or visit her ashram? As I am currently aware, her ashram was burned in the California wildfires of 2018. If so, please let me know if you are open to exchanging emails.

[@scottkunghadrengsen2604]

@cryse_rox Truly wish I could be more help(please let me know where the article will appear) I never made it to the Ashram while Alice was alive. And the family friend(a drummer) who met them briefly is now in hospice and not very coherent. I would be happy to communicate directly, but I am afraid I don't bring much more then an enthusiasm for their music and a little insight into performing it.

[@josepheaton8137]

Loved free meals at the Lords John Coltrane’ memorial church. Thank you

[@rockomaniaco97]

The section of my finite time on this earth that I used watching your videos was absolutely well spent. Thank you very much.

[@FilipHolm]

Very kind of you!

[@scottkunghadrengsen2604]

I think it's also worth mentioning the "Intersteller Space"album. A duet with drummer Rashied Ali where John is unconstrained by any chordal instrument and the music is reminiscent of the interplay between Tabla and soloist in some forms of Indian Classical music.

[@t.bagsmusic6918]

The Mysticism of Sound and Music by Hazrat Inayat Khan beautiful video. it is important to mention this book that trane was seen carrying around later in life that explores these mystical connections with sound and music very deeply. a great starting point for anybody wanting to find their spirit in music. i am surprised it was not mentioned in the video. this is an EXTREMELY important sufi text. thank you for the video

[@FilipHolm]

It is a great text!

[@afk_hesh]

Thank you so much for sharing that book. I've been looking for something like it for years and just didn't know where to look. And then here it was

[@sambhavnath6668]

Lord krishna was himself a great flute player thank you very much sir for making this beautiful video about the connection of music and spirituality you have literally explained it very clearly to me thank you

[@uncommonsensewithpastormar2913]

I‘ve always been interested in Coltrane‘s spirituality, so thank you for this. As both a musician and a person interested in spirituality, this video really delivered.

[@FilipHolm]

Thank you very much!

[@cheri238]

Love this, Filip!! Music connections & spirituality. John Coltrane & Alice created definitely a "Love Supreme." I also love your new song!!! Congratulations!!! 🙏❤️🌎🌿🕊🎵🎶🎵

[@FilipHolm]

Thank you so much! 😊

[@picksalot1]

Thank you for this insightful look into Coltrane's spiritual background and it's importance in his music. I deeply appreciate the clarity and accuracy that you presented Advaita Vedanta. 🕉️

[@WideReciever360]

I’ll never forget listening to Coltrane’s live album at Temple University (i think 1966?) as a young adult in college. It was in a very hard time in my life right on the cusp of metamorphic change. The sheer intensity and power of the music took me to another level man. I understood the intensity on two levels: 1st as a Black man in America dealing with all of the things that entails; and 2nd the search/longing for a conduit allowing access to deeper spiritual meaning. One thing I can say now, as I reach another stage in adulthood is that Coltrane is damn right (at least to me) about every person needing to figure these deep spiritual questions out themselves. The deeper you explore, the more it’ll all eventually make sense; usually at the weirdest, most unexpected times too! God bless

[@kaeltkottmir]

One of the best youtuber i've ever found

[@boglot]

Isthmus is a neat song. I like how it builds to the soaring climax

[@FilipHolm]

Thank you!

[@renakmans3521]

This is better than the recent Coltrane film. Thank You, I learned a lot including the fact that he was a non-dualist practitioner and through music he meditated! It makes sense that he had a true awakening beyond thought or conceptualizing. ❤

[@FilipHolm]

Thank you!

[@SmallBobby]

I've always felt a connection to Coltrane's music and his sound in general. Now it's so neat to know we share a similar spiritual journey and religious perspective in general. Love this topic!!

[@rdreher7380]

I love this so much. I knew that Coltrane had this spirituality to his music, but I didn't know the details, and just how well read he was about religious traditions. I laughed when you said "some of you might not associate this kind of attitude with Jazz," because I feel like, if you don't associated spirituality with Jazz, you probably are the kind of person that thinks Frank Sinatra is Jazz. One of my formative experiences with Jazz was a Jazz piano teacher who was also a devout Christian and his music was an integral part of his faith. I think anyone who has experienced the Jazz world from the inside is intimately familiar with this connection. It's also so fascinating to me to see the more sophisticated side of the counter culture movement. All my life, just like you I'm sure, I've been attracted to "hippie" culture: the music of the Beatles, the interest in the "eastern" religions, all the stuff you touch on. However, I've also always been very sensitive to the Orientalism of Hippies, the shallow appropriate-y, often tacky interpretations that came about from that era and since. It was really nice to be reminded that there was more to that era and its fascination with non-western culture and religions － true sharing of culture and deeply informed inspiration － that there very much is a kernel of beauty to that era that is worth being fascinated in.

[@FilipHolm]

That is well put! It's a shame that many people have such limited knowledge of both "spirituality" and, in this case, jazz.

[@proxy8918]

Always loved Coltrane and been interested in his religiosity. Thank you Filip, you're a scholar and a fine lad.

[@CMLozanoFineArt]

John Coltrane is the Greatest Musician to ever walk the face of this Earth.

[@blankowvsingt]

He sounds anemic against sun ra though

[@CMLozanoFineArt]

@@blankowvsingt damn even though I don't agree..I love the way you put that! Sun Ra is definitely up there...literally haha...I love his Avant-Garde Piano.

[@Imagination_Now]

Wow ! First time on this channel from your other channel and I'm stoked!! I love music, art, philosophy, and theology so this new channel is an exciting find for me 🤗

[@FilipHolm]

Welcome! 😊

[@PAN77769]

Beautiful! Ohm is one of my favorite Coltrane works!

[@aidanlogan4384]

I would like to add that in one of his final interviews he was asked what he'd like to be in 10 years, he said "I'd like to be a Saint" He and Alice laugh it off but it happened. He was canonized by the African Orthodox Church, theres a Church of Saint Coltrane in California too. I'm not attached to these movements, but Coltrane is certainly a prophet to me, for me his final music is the prescence of God on earth.

[@FilipHolm]

Yes, I just love that! And thank you for sharing!

[@coltonjones9850]

I haven’t even watched this yet and I’m just so happy you put this out.

[@loganperry]

This is such a well understood video. Leave it to Filip. I need more music x religion videos

[@johnwade7430]

Thank you - I really enjoyed the presentation. You mentioned ‘India’ a number of times - I strongly suggest that anyone interested takes a listen to David Murray’s version of India. It is a truly amazing track - I’d love to hear him perform this live. I was born in ‘64 so there was no way I would even have heard of Coltrane when I was a child. But I have seen Murray a couple of times and his Spirituality is amazing. Check him out❤

[@ceegee23]

Amazing video and page you just gained a subscriber. Thanks for this great information!

[@FilipHolm]

Yay! Thank you!

[@lauracwiklinski9083]

I loved this video. Thank you for covering this.

[@FilipHolm]

Thank you!

[@anuraag0]

Loved this video! As a musician and a thorough nondualist (advaitin) myself, it was fascinating to discover the legend saxophone player immersed in this beautiful knowledge too! Thank you, Filip! 🤗

[@vincentbuccieri9305]

Thank You for this Unusual and Thought Provoking Content!

[@hatewillneverwin.]

this was a crazy video, i had no idea how deep of a soul coltrane was, especially his capacity for understanding that he doesn’t have all the answers but also that there are answers everywhere

[@SunRavenMusic]

What a legend Coltrane is. Thanks for making this video.

[@augustodelerme7233]

Thank you for this video about john spiritual side of jazz.

[@phillipadams4691]

Great video. I have been into religious and philosophical studies of various traditions in the last few years. I didn't know anything about John Coltrane. I was also an opiate addict. I had a similar spiritual experience. Thank you for sharing this.

[@imanihekima1659]

Excellent video, very well researched and presented.

[@songfantasy670]

Great video! I never knew this about Coltrane.

[@versusherzius]

La divinidad del ser esta ahí adentro, despertar y amar lo que la vida nos ofrece y aceptar lo que nos quita. Saludos coltrenesco

[@Drinkingnectar]

Excellent video. Thanks 🙏🏻

[@TheSup3r1]

You made a wonderful video!

[@leeshiflett1863]

Thanks for spreading the word on this topic. This music will hit new ears. Hell yea.

[@FilipHolm]

Hope so!

[@JoaoJRCunha]

Amazing video, as always! Love the Coltranes. They are both legends and great human beings. 🎼📿

[@ShroudedInAntiquity]

God bless saint John! Thank you so much for this video. His work never fails to inspire, his impact will be felt forever.

[@bandhu5051]

Kudos to you, Filip for contributing so meaningfully about religion, eastern philosophy, advaita vedanta, and, now, music in the context of Coltrane-selfless-love!!!!

[@lemoneproductions420]

This is the first video of yours that I have watched. As primarily a rock listener with some Jazz on the side, you have provided me with amazing insight into the music of Coltrane and tickled my religious interest. Thanks, and I'm definitely subscribed for more work like this.

[@FilipHolm]

Welcome! I'm glad you liked it!

[@wyndhl8309]

Albert Ayler, a protégé of John Coltrane, continued 👏 to exude tenor saxophone spirituality until his death - in the Hudson River, allegedly under suspicious circumstances 🙏 🙌 1936 to 1970, if I correctly remember❤ Ravi Coltrane, son of John Coltrane. .. RAVI

[@jeffreydelisle7337]

You are a rarity, an erudite intellectual who speaks with great clarity. I now subscribe. Thanks.

[@jonhanson8925]

What a beautiful essay about an amazing artist. Never knew anything about this! Thank you so much for sharing and enlightening me, can't wait to listen to Love Supreme again with these things in mind

[@pandaredemption]

Wonderful video. Thanks for making this

[@alanmintz1514]

Very interesting! Definitely deepened my appreciation of Coltrane. Well researched, I enjoyed this, thanks for putting the video out

[@dawsonhinders9058]

This is such a fantastic video/video series. Loved every second of it man. Cheers.

[@michaelbates2823]

Loving these essays on spirituality and music, Filip. Thanks for all that you do on KZbin. You are enriching the lives of so many, including me. I'm off to stream some Zini and Coltrane/s on Deezer. Love and Gratitude 🙏 ❤️ 🙏

[@scottkunghadrengsen2604]

Also(so excited I can't shut up here) It's interesting that Coltrane(like Bach) became more architectural in his playing with arpeggios and chord extentions meant to reflect(and embody)the underlying structure of the universe. His tone was also huge with a lot of upper harmonic content perhaps also to reflect this, a path that Pharaoh Sanders would deeply explore.

[@JulieSkinner777]

Your channel just popped up on my feed. Wow! It’s as if pieces of jazz, music and the Eastern ways that have made a big impression on my heart all joined up in one spot. Thank you!

[@TheRealTomWendel]

Sonny Rollins, from an interview: “This world is not real,” he (Sonny) said, more than once. “To me, the real world is the universe.” Music, and especially the flow state of spontaneous invention, can be seen as a dispatch from this deeper realm. “I can’t explain it,” he said, “but I know there is something in music that’s real. This world, and all this stuff that happens-oh boy, it’s so unreal. The things we go through every day, it’s the little picture. It’s not the big picture.” Rollins is aware that these views will be met with some skepticism. “I learned a long time ago not to proselytize,” he said. “People will make you doubt your own feelings.” But he was clear about the sincerity of his enterprise, and the fact that it’s a continuing process of discovery. “I remember guys used to say, ‘Oh yeah, Coltrane’s got into this spiritual thing,'” he said. “But they didn’t understand: That’s what he was doing all the time. That’s why I hate that word, ‘spiritual’-it’s so diminishing. But anyway, that’s part of the whole thing. Spiritual understanding, whatever it is, that’s what it’s all about.”

[@scottkunghadrengsen2604]

Love this quote , thank you.

[@TheRealTomWendel]

⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠@@scottkunghadrengsen2604 Māyā (Sanskrit), in the Vedic texts, connotes that which "is constantly changing and thus is spiritually unreal" (in opposition to an unchanging Absolute, or Brahman), and therefore "conceals the true character of spiritual reality". I believe this is what Rollins is referring to. Music, in its highest manifestation, transcends the phenomenal world and the Atman- the formless, timeless essence of all. The great improvisers of modern jazz discovered that they could touch this essence in the perfected flow state and share it with an attuned audience.

[@evanbobrowski9262]

What interview?

[@TheRealTomWendel]

@@evanbobrowski9262I think it was The NY Times, but I can’t recall for certain.

[@chrisgentes8737]

very interesting! thank you for sharing. the key is "...all the time", awake and 'asleep'

[@michaeldillon3113]

Thank you for this Filip . I like to look for diverse manifestations of the Universal Truth and I had never heard of this before . ✌️🕉️

[@dinam336]

Happy New Year. Wish you a prosperous year. Thank you for the efforts you're making.

[@airbornetrooper2452]

John Coltrane played the alto saxophone in the United States Navy, and was stationed in Hawaii

[@closeyoureyes5120]

This is so interesting! Thank you Filip

[@LuisAtPeace]

Youre the only YT'er i have the bell notification on for Filip. Love you and your videos 🙌

[@jooj2559]

First time watching the channel and this has been some of the best content I've seen recently, thank you so much

[@colingallagher1648]

great stuff thanks

[@yvonnegreenberg6449]

Thank you so much for this video and suggestions for his music.

[@jefflingaya2850]

Thank you for this wonderful video and for Isthmus too ❤

[@freddygeist7143]

It's my first time watching one of your videos, and i truly enjoyed this . I've always been a fan of Coltrane and Ravi Shankar, and I've been going on my own spiritual journey for the last couple of years reading through all the religions. Great job, and I just subscribed and will definitely be watching more of what you put out. Even got my dad to watch, and he loved it as well👍

[@ktd9]

I Watch ALL your Sufi stuff….now I will watch this channel too…Thanks 4 All U Do..🙏🙏💜💥💥💥⚡️⚡️⚡️

[@davidcheath]

I believe that St John the Baptist was a great Buddhist master later known to us as JS Bach then later.......John Coltrane..but I think only the great psychic High Priestess Alice knew as the true Christ never claims anything, we have to recognise him!...a Baptism through sound - what an amazing beautiful concept......interesting video...all v best DH

[@nevillestimpson475]

Thanks so much for this Filip. I have been aware of JC and to a lesser extent Alice's spirituality since I was a teen. A love supreme album had a major impact on me from those days till today. Your video is clear concise and gives great context to his music and search for meaning and offering to the public.

[@nicolasvaron73]

What a great content! Great research. I really thank you so much.

[@nirakara111]

Thank you so much for taking time to do this! I never knew these things about Coltrane but I had listened to the tracks from Love Supreme a while ago and every time I get goosebumps! I used to play that album sparingly with reverence… that wasn’t really intentional or learned as I had no background information on that, it just felt that way, quite often something beyond music which generally only happen with a few deeply spiritual compositions in carnatic classical music (to me). He was a seeker, a philosopher in his own right and it’s incredible that he distilled the essence of such tough concepts and embodied them! It seems he was beyond religion and experienced the ultimate truth, nirvana, zen or whatever one might call! I was so moved by this, especially his quotes! This sort of spiritual awakening would be more attainable to receptive musicians of this caliber! Anyone who has that drive / awakening to quit heroin cold turkey and attain such spiritual heights has something profound within them, whatever one might call. I also came across an NPR program on the Church of Coltrane in SF, but I liked this much better as you’ve gone much deeper! ❤

[@JeremySnchz]

Thanks dude! What a powerful video❤️‍🔥 The "Coltrane essence" will resonate in our soul forever ✨

[@shagrooves]

Really nice video man, caught me immediately. Incredible music also!, its great to have found your stuff. Peace

[@HowardLevyland]

Thank you for putting this up. Very important to tell people about John Coltrane.

[@shivashakti1975]

Very enjoyable. Though no mention of the American churches that literally view Coltrane to be a saint. Some play his music as part of their liturgy. (St. John Coltrane African Orthodox Church.) Anyway. really liked this. Why isn't it part of Let's Talk Religion?

[@FilipHolm]

Yeah I could have definitely included it

[@nokkhotro170]

This was so good, also Isthmus is a banger track !! ❤

[@camarajordan1143]

Thank you so very much for this well researched and presented information. I go to another zone when I listen to A Love Supreme and now I understand why!

[@zenglobal8789]

Beautiful and very inspiring. Thank you and now I'm checking out your music.

[@duncan4438]

Great insights and summary. Thanks!

[@loljoker127]

amazing video, loved it man! gotta check out your bach video now! thanks for all the hard work & best of luck with the new music, you deserve all the love in the world for what you do!! hare krishna

[@Pikachulova7]

Absolutely amazing and thorough video, love the post modern and modern analyses

[@spacerockwizard]

Thanks for this video. It is an important topic that I give a lot of thought to. That is, the possible spiritual aspect of instrumental music. John is one of my favorite players. Rest in peace, Maestro Coltrane.

[@marcocelentani6680]

What an amazing channel, I wish i got to know this earlier, but better late than never! Please make more videos like this

[@nomadcrows]

What an amazing video, thanks for offering a peek into the mind of this brilliant musician and spiritual seeker. I've had very profound experiences listening to A Love Supreme, even before I was interested in the spiritual journey. I had no idea I shared so much with one of my favorite musicians, in terms of the feelings and ideas we're drawn to. I empathize with Mr Coltrane's struggle with heroin - it was everywhere, he watched Charlie Parker and others struggle with addiction, and he probably got it pushed on him, like: "Ya gotta keep up kid, we're playing all night." Regardless of what happened, I'm so glad he got through it and continued to explore his spirituality make amazing music. Speaking of which, love your new song - thank you for sharing.

[@WordsRuinMusic]

You got a lot in under 20 minutes. Really well done. Would like to see you do more on this subject if you like. Thank you, Charles

[@marketasvetlikova4296]

Aaaah, thank you for this video❤❤

[@mxpujasingh]

Love this video, thank you for sharing! I think it's so beautiful when people explore/express their spirituality through their music. I make spiritual dance pop and I'm so inspired by people like John and Alice! 💗 (also the new single sounds great!)

[@besitterplay]

Great video, thanks for this!

[@benibbotson7614]

Excellent video!!! Would love to see more!

[@LaJinn25]

Awesome, thank you very much!

[@dlxinfinite7098]

Wow. I really learned a lot here. Trane's heroic search for Spiritual meaning was fulfilled. Id like to see one on guitarist John McLaughlin. He also embraced Indus valley music and philosophy. Namaste!

[@matthewcameron5566]

You are in my opinion along with the Dr Sledge, the best content creator on this platform. What joy your videos bring. Thanks eternally.

[@FilipHolm]

I'm honored! Thank you!

[@jeffreydanieljensen7290]

Great Coltrane🙏🏽

[@doodahdavesrecords4319]

Excellent overview and a topic of great interest to me and I bet others I gravitate to positive uplifting Christian based music Great review good luck with your music!

[@MiggiMixtapes]

found my new fav channel

[@VeganRevolution]

Thanks for making this video

[@gaydarON]

That was very good. I am a big fan of Coltrane, have his albums on Impulse label, and his biography. Your vid went into much more detail about his spirituality. I learned so much from you. Thank you for putting it all together.

[@jocsanabdala9456]

At the center of suffering, one finds the still waters of love. Those who descend into the water rise to God, those who ascend from the water descend to the devil.

[@zovalentine7305]

Wonderful video, thank you❗