John William Coltrane (September 23 1926 ? July 17 1967), nicknamed Trane, was an American jazz saxophonist and composer. Although recordings of his work from as early as 1946 exist, Coltrane's recording career did not begin in earnest until 1955. From 1957 onward he recorded and produced dozens of albums, many of them not released until years after his death. He achieved extraordinary popularity, while also responding to a religious awakening that has made him a source of spiritual inspiration. Coltrane initially played alongside luminaries like Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonius Monk and Miles Davis, and after 1957, recorded and produced dozens of albums, many released posthumously. Throughout his career Coltrane's music took on an increasingly spiritual dimension that would color his legacy. His conception of expression in jazz became increasingly mystical, gnostic and cathartic. Coltrane has been credited with reshaping modern jazz a