John William Coltrane, also known as "
Trane" (September 23, 1926 – July 17, 1967), was an American
jazz saxophonist and composer. Working in the
bebop and
hard bop idioms early in his career, Coltrane helped pioneer the use of
modes in jazz and was later at the forefront of
free jazz. He led at least fifty recording sessions during his career, and appeared as a sideman on many albums by other musicians, including trumpeter
Miles Davis and pianist
Thelonious Monk.