Alex Mathias plays John Coltrane - Blue Train

Alex Mathias plays John Coltrane Natiional Concert Hall, Dublin, Ireland December 4th 2010 Blue Train Alex Mathias - Tenor/Soprano sax Leopoldo Osio - Piano Tommy Gray - Drums Dan Callaghan - Double Bass Coltrane was the one of the most influential saxophonists in the history of jazz. He had a prolific yet short career (due his untimely death at the age of 40 in 1967), recording on over 100 albums and was at the forefront of almost every movement in jazz from the 50's to the late 60's -- bebop, hardbop, modal and free jazz. Alex Mathias and his fine group of young musicians capture the essence of Coltrane's music and style, taking the audience through the different stages of his career as a leader. Starting the show with some of Coltrane's most recognisable hardbop compositions from his early albums like 'Blue Train' they then move on to the music from 'My Favorite Things' and 'Giant Steps' putting a unique stamp on Coltrane's compositions and arrangements of standards. Mathias talks briefly between tunes about the saxophonists career giving an overview of Coltrane's spiritual and musical discoveries he made on the way. The latter part of the show encompasses many of the 'classic quartet' tunes from later albums with Elvin Jones (drums), Jimmy Garrison (double bass) and McCoy Tyner (piano) such as 'A Love Supreme' and 'Crescent' in which Coltrane used modal jazz concepts and truly allowed his spirituality to shine through. Presented by Livenote Productions. www.livenote.ie To listen to the debut album, download free music and much more check out www.alexmathias.com