Question 1

True or false: Coltrane played tenor saxophone exclusively throughout his entire career.

Accepted Answer

False. False. He started on alto sax, later switched to tenor, and also played soprano sax on landmark albums like 'My Favorite Things'.

Question 2

True or false: Coltrane's 'Giant Steps' is considered his easiest composition for improvisers due to its simple chord changes.

Accepted Answer

False. False. 'Giant Steps' is famously difficult because of its rapid, unconventional chord progression, a bane for many jazz musicians.

Question 3

True or false: Coltrane practiced his saxophone up to 12 hours a day, often to the point of physical exhaustion.

Accepted Answer

True. True. Known for his obsessive practice, Coltrane would play until his mouth bled, a key to his technical brilliance.

Question 4

True or false: John Coltrane's first professional gig was with Eddie 'Cleanhead' Vinson's band in 1947.

Accepted Answer

True. True. Coltrane started professionally in 1947 with Vinson's R&B group, playing alto sax before his famous jazz career began.

Question 5

True or false: Coltrane's album 'A Love Supreme' was recorded in a single day with no rehearsals.

Accepted Answer

False. False. The album was recorded on December 9, 1964, but Coltrane and the quartet rehearsed extensively for weeks beforehand.

Question 6

True or false: Coltrane was a heavy smoker and died of liver cancer in 1967 at age 40.

Accepted Answer

True. True. Coltrane smoked heavily and died from liver cancer on July 17, 1967, a fact often overshadowed by his spiritual music.

Question 7

True or false: John Coltrane's first name was originally spelled 'John William Coltrane'.

Accepted Answer

True. True. His full birth name was John William Coltrane, though he later dropped the 'William' professionally.

Question 8

True or false: Coltrane once turned down an offer to join Duke Ellington's orchestra.

Accepted Answer

False. False. He actually played briefly with Ellington in 1953 but left due to low pay and creative differences, not a rejection of the offer.

John Coltrane Trivia Questions