Ascension John Coltrane And His Quest [Paperback]

Ascensionis as spellbinding as Coltrane's music. --The New Review of Records

This remarkable book traces the development of Coltrane's music as it moved from hard bop to the freest jazz. . . . Informed and convincing,Ascensionbelongs on the short list of essential music books . . . --Lang Thompson,Option

Nisenson . . . presents us with a sensitive and vivid portrait of Coltrane as he progressed from a 'journeyman bopper' addicted to alcohol and heroin to a profoundly spiritual 'warrior' seeking knowledge of God through the making of music. --Booklist

Equal parts biography, jazz history, social history, and listener's guide,Ascensionmanages to be both entertaining and enlightening. Though Eric Nisenson is an avowed fan of Coltrane, he maintains clearheadedness where others often succumb to gibberish. As a listener's guide to Coltrane recordings, the book is perceptive and thorough. --New York Times Book Review
Eric Nisensonis the author of several jazz books, includingThe Making of Kind of Blue.He lives in Malden, Massachusetts.