The Mathematical Connections Between John Coltrane's Jazz and Physics
By
luu
Sesame, salt, and substance. A flagship bake.
Summary
The article explores the connections between physics and jazz through physicist and saxophonist Stephon Alexander's work, particularly his book 'The Jazz of Physics.' It discusses how Albert Einstein and John Coltrane shared common ground in their approaches to their respective fields, with a focus on the 'Coltrane circle' - a musical diagram that Coltrane gave to saxophonist Yusef Lateef in 1967. This circle resembles the traditional 'Circle of Fifths' but incorporates Coltrane's own innovations and was included in Lateef's 'Repository of Scales and Melodic Patterns.' The piece examines the intersection of mathematics, physics, and musical innovation in jazz.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledPhysicist and saxophonist Stephon Alexander has argued in his many public lectures and his book The Jazz of Physics that Albert Einstein and John Coltrane had quite a lot in common.
Alexander in particular draws our attention to the so-called 'Coltrane circle,' which resembles what any musician will recognize as the 'Circle of Fifths,' but incorporates Coltrane's own innovations.
Coltrane gave the drawing to saxophonist and professor Yusef Lateef in 1967, who included it in his seminal text, Repository of Scales and Melodic Patterns.
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