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 Ruben Diaz Mrs. Laurencot Nonfiction essay __Blue Trane __, __Giant steps__, & __Duke Ellington and John Coltrane__ are some of the most influential albums played in the 20th century by revolutionary jazz musician John Coltrane (Barron, 2002). John Coltrane changed the way people looked at jazz with his world shattering jazz style. This book can relate to many things in the history and society of the world. It also can offer a reader with much insight on what the great John Coltrane has to offer people today as well as teaching about the world around. Think about why jazz is played the way it is today. The reason it is played the way it is, is partial because of the way Coltrane played. John Coltrane has changed history with his erratic playing style. This book offers a perspective on how to look at how jazz was changed during the middle 20th century. One way this book can relate to history is how john has placed himself in the history books for changing jazz. For instance it was said that “people in the audience would stand up, their arms up reaching, and they would be like that for an hour or more, their clothes would be soaked with perspiration, and when they finally sat down, they practically fell down, the music just took people out of the whole material word: it lifted them up” (page 90,). Coltrane morphed peoples’ minds into a world where they could escape from all the racism in the world. By changing the way people felt about themselves changed the way people felt towards other people. Due to Coltrane ground breaking style of music john brought together all types of people it was said “He attracted both black and white fans, something quite unusual for the early 1960’s” (page10) This shows in society that in a world where racism is prevalent and RDiaz Page 2 discrimination is everywhere that you can overcome adversity and do what you want with your life. This also shows how the musical notes that came from Coltrane’s sax changed history by bringing white people and black people together and breaking the uncross able bridge of racism. This book also provides a reader with many things. This book isn’t just a biography about a very innovative jazz musician but a book that provides readers with certain values that should be learned. In the book a main theme was determination and hard work pays off. For example John faced many hardships in his life such as drug addiction, discrimination, and criticism of his new style. Even though he faced these challenges he didn’t back down from them. Instead of giving up on his dreams of becoming great because he was addicted to drugs he decided to stop doing drugs and change his ways. Instead of hanging up his instruments because he was discriminated against he decided to block out racism and let music carry away his problems. Finally instead of letting hurtful criticism destroy his career he decided to study music and play what he felt and make it sound good. We can all learn from this book because it teaches people how to respond to different adversities in a positive manor. Another thing a reader may gain from reading this book is the knowledge of how a single human being can have such an impact on people around him. It is inspiring to know that with the right decisions that you can do whatever you want with your life. For example John lived with all his family in a not so nice black neighborhood in North Carolina and with all the odds stacked up against him he did what he dreamed he would do, be a jazz musician. You can gain a deal from this take for instance you may live in poverty stricken place but with hard work and drive you still can become a doctor, or a scientist or a football player. As long as you put your mind to it it is RDiaz Page 3 possible. This book doesn’t just tell you about a man’s journey through life but it also teaches life lessons. This book also teaches us about the world around us. This book teaches how the world has a weird way of showing how it feels. What does this book teach about the world some would ask? This book tells us that in the world every man has an opportunity to do something with them. Coltrane’s life doesn’t show how all men are created equal but how they all have an opportunity to do something different that makes them greater than the person next to them. This book helps us understand how racism is over come in the world. The author’s writing leads you to infer that even though racism is everywhere around us that you should fight to overcome it and not let it hold you down in life. In conclusion John Coltrane’s life is influential and helps us understand things and it helps to show where we were at to where we are now. It connects to society and history. It also offers a reader with much insight on how Coltrane has to offer them today as well as teaching about the world.