"Second only to Charlie Parker, John Coltrane was the most influential saxophonist of the postwar jazz years. This book covers his playing and life from his early years in the bands of Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk through his landmark groups of the '60s. This book gathers articles about Coltrane, interviews, and performance and record reviews to portray the man and musician. As both an introduction and a resource, it illuminates the life and career of one of this century's greatest musicians."--BOOK JACKET.