Seven Songs – 1960

John Coltrane and Stan Getz

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In 1960 John Coltrane made his final tour with the Miles Davis Quintet, performing throughout Europe before forming his own quartet.

The acclaimed producer Norman Granz put together the tour which, part of the time, also featured tenor-saxophonist Stan Getz in a quartet and the Oscar Peterson Trio.

On Aug. 27, 1960 in Dusseldorf, Germany, the groups were scheduled to be featured on a half-hour television show but Davis turned it down.

Instead, John Coltrane performed several numbers (“On Green Dolphin Street,” “Walkin’” and “The Theme”) with Davis’ rhythm section which was comprised of pianist Wynton Kelly, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer Jimmy Cobb.

A ballad medley followed which featured Kelly (“Autumn Leaves”), Coltrane (“What’s New”), and Getz (sounding beautiful on “Moonlight In Vermont.”

It was at this time that Coltrane was quoted as saying “We would all sound like Stan if we could.”

The program climaxes with “Rifftide,” a tune based on “Lady Be Good” that teams together Coltrane, Getz, and Oscar Peterson, with Chambers and Cobb continuing in the rhythm section.

Getz (who could be considered the sound of the 1950s) probably regretted having Coltrane (the sound of the 1960s) go first but he holds his own in their unique tradeoff, the only existing film and recording of the two giants playing together.

This classic outing was provided on You Tube by Michael Steinman and Jazz Lives.

-Scott Yanow

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