WHEREAS, Originally from North Carolina, John Coltrane moved to Philadelphia PA in 1943 residing at 1511 N. 33rd Street, and training at Granoff Studios and the Ornstein School of Music; and
WHEREAS, After the World War II, Coltrane began playing tenor saxophone with the Eddie "CleanHead" Vinson Band. Prior to joining the Dizzy Gillespie band, Coltrane performed with Jimmy Heath where his passion for experimentation began to take shape; and
WHEREAS, It was his work with the Miles Davis Quintet in 1958 that would lead to his own musical evolution. During that period, he became known for using the three-on-one chord approach, and what has been called the 'sheets of sound,' a method of playing multiple notes at one time; and
WHEREAS, By 1960, Coltrane had formed his own quartet which included pianist McCoy Tyner, drummer Elvin Jones, and bassist Jimmy Garrison. Eventually adding players like Eric Dolphy, and Pharoah Sanders. The John Coltrane Quartet created some of the most innovative and expressive music in Jazz history including the hit albums: "My Favorite Things," "Africa Brass," "Impressions," "Giant Steps," and his monumental work "A Love Supreme"; and
WHEREAS, In 1967, liver disease took Coltrane's life leaving many to wonder what might have been. Yet decades after his departure his music can be heard in motion pictures, on television and radio; and
WHEREAS, Recent film projects that have made references to Coltrane's artistry in dialogue or musical compositions include, "Mr. Holland's Opus", "The General's Daughter", "Malcolm X", "Mo Better Blues", "Jerry McGuire", "White Night", "The Last Graduation", "Come Unto Thee", "Eyes On The Prize II" and "Four Little Girls". Also, popular television series such as "NYPD Blue", "The Cosby Show", "Day's Of Our Lives", "Crime Stories" and "ER", have also relied on the beautiful melodies of this distinguished saxophonist; and
WHEREAS, In 1972, "A Love Supreme" was certified gold by the RIAA for exceeding 500,000 units in Japan. This jazz classic and the classic album "My Favorite Things" were certified gold in the United States in 2001; and
WHEREAS, In 1982, the RIAA posthumously awarded John Coltrane a Grammy Award of "Best Jazz Solo Performance" for the work on his album, "Bye Bye Blackbird". In 1997 he received the organizations highest honor, the Lifetime Achievement Award.
WHEREAS, In 1995, John Coltrane was honored by the United States Postal Service with a commemorative postage stamp. Issued as part of the musicians and composers series, this collectors item remains in circulation, and in 1999, Universal Studios and its recording division MCA Records recognized John Coltrane's influence on cinema by naming a street on the Universal Studios lot in his honor; now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, By the Council of the City of Philadelphia that 33rd Street from Girard Avenue to Cecil B. Moore Avenue be also named "John Coltrane Street.
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