Alabama

John Coltrane · 1963

Context

Recorded by Coltrane in November 1963, two months after the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, the piece is widely read as a tribute to the four girls who were killed. This intention, put forward by a jazz historian, is however not confirmed by other sources. It appears on Live at Birdland.

In the genealogy of jazz

This track belongs to Spiritual jazz, Modal. Among the origins and influences of Spiritual jazz: Modal, Free jazz.

By the same artist

• Lush Life (1963)
• My One and Only Love (1963)
• Bessie's Blues (1964)
• Acknowledgement (A Love Supreme) (1965)
• My Favorite Things (1961)
• Ascension (1965)

Sources

• EN: Alabama (John Coltrane song)
• EN: Live at Birdland (John Coltrane album)

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