Spiritual Jazz

A brief history of Spiritual Jazz

Spiritual Jazz is an offshoot of the jazz music genre, which developed in the 1950s and 1960s in the United States. It gained its name because it contained elements of spirituality and often incorporated religious or mystical themes into its sound. This genre has a rich history, and its roots can be traced back to the African American church music traditions that emerged during the slavery era.

The origins of Spiritual Jazz can be traced to the late 1950s and early 1960s in the United States. The emergence of this genre can be attributed to African American jazz musicians who were searching for new ways to express their art form. They looked to their culture and the world around them as inspiration, often incorporating elements of African, Latin, and Asian music into their sound.

One of the most influential artists in the development of Spiritual Jazz was John Coltrane. His music was deeply rooted in spirituality and improvisation, and he often incorporated elements of Indian music and philosophy into his sound. His album, A Love Supreme, released in 1965, is considered one of the seminal works in the Spiritual Jazz genre.

Another important figure in the development of Spiritual Jazz was Alice Coltrane, John Coltrane’s wife, and collaborator. She began her musical career as a classical pianist but soon became interested in jazz and spirituality. She incorporated elements of Indian classical music into her sound and released several albums that are now considered classics of the genre.

Other musicians who were influential in the development of Spiritual Jazz include Pharaoh Sanders, Sun Ra, and Archie Shepp. These musicians brought their unique styles and ideas to the genre, creating a diverse and vibrant sound that would go on to influence future generations of jazz musicians.

During the 1970s, Spiritual Jazz continued to evolve, incorporating elements of funk, soul, and rock music into its sound. Musicians like Lonnie Liston Smith and Roy Ayers were at the forefront of this movement, creating a new form of music that was both spiritual and groove-based.

In the 1980s, the popularity of Spiritual Jazz began to wane as other forms of music gained prominence. However, the genre experienced a resurgence in the 1990s, thanks in part to the popularity of acid jazz and the emergence of new artists who were heavily influenced by the Spiritual Jazz sound.

Today, Spiritual Jazz is a thriving genre that continues to evolve and grow. Many contemporary artists, like Kamasi Washington and Moses Boyd, are carrying on the legacy of the genre and infusing it with new ideas and sounds.

Notable Spiritual Jazz artists

Pharoah Sanders: Known for his work with John Coltrane, Sanders’ solo work is considered a cornerstone of spiritual jazz. His use of the saxophone has a unique, otherworldly quality that has taken on a cult following among jazz enthusiasts.

Alice Coltrane: Wife of legendary musician John Coltrane, Alice continued in the spiritual vein with her own work. Her use of harp, organ, and otherworldly chanting created a meditative sound that has resonated with fans for decades.

Kamasi Washington: Washington has brought spiritual jazz into the modern age with his bold and ambitious projects, including his triple-disc masterpiece The Epic. His use of large ensembles and cinematic arrangements have helped bring the genre back into the spotlight.

John McLaughlin: The British guitarist explored spiritual jazz with his groundbreaking Mahavishnu Orchestra, blending jazz, rock, and Indian classical music into a mind-melting stew of sound.

Lonnie Liston Smith: A veteran of Miles Davis’ band, Smith went on to create his own brand of spiritual jazz with his group the Cosmic Echoes. His work often featured prominent use of electric keyboards and synthesizers.

Sun Ra: A true jazz iconoclast, Sun Ra created a universe of his own with his music. His sprawling Arkestra often mixed elements of free jazz, Afrofuturism, and science fiction into a heady brew that defied easy categorization.

Duke Ellington: The legendary pianist was no stranger to exploring spiritual themes in his music, particularly in his later years. His Black, Brown and Beige features themes of the black experience in America, while Sacred Concerts was a project that explored the religious side of jazz.

Yusef Lateef: The multi-instrumentalist and composer explored spiritual themes in his music, blending elements of jazz, Eastern music, and even the blues. His work often featured unusual instrumentation, including the oboe, flute, and bassoon.

Archie Shepp: The saxophonist’s work often explored themes of race, politics, and spirituality. He was part of the free jazz movement of the 1960s, experimenting with dissonance and unconventional instrumentation.

Don Cherry: Cherry’s unconventional approach to jazz often blended elements of free jazz, world music, and spirituality. He was known for his collaborations with musicians such as Ornette Coleman, and his work often featured prominent use of the pocket trumpet.

25 Spiritual Jazz records you should hear

1. John Coltrane - A Love Supreme (1965)
2. Alice Coltrane - Journey in Satchidananda (1971)
3. Pharoah Sanders - Karma (1969)
4. Albert Ayler - Spiritual Unity (1964)
5. Archie Shepp - The Magic of Ju-Ju (1967)
6. Sun Ra - The Heliocentric Worlds of Sun Ra, Vol. 1 (1965)
7. Don Cherry - Organic Music Society (1972)
8. Yusef Lateef - Eastern Sounds (1961)
9. Lonnie Liston Smith - Expansions (1975)
10. Gary Bartz - Harlem Bush Music - Uhuru (1971)
11. Jerry Garcia & Howard Wales - Hooteroll? (1971)
12. Charles Lloyd - Forest Flower (1966)
13. Pharaoh Sanders - Thembi (1971)
14. Ahmad Jamal - The Awakening (1970)
15. Dorothy Ashby - Afro-Harping (1968)
16. John McLaughlin - Devotion (1970)
17. Doug Carn - Revelation (1973)
18. Leon Thomas - Spirits Known and Unknown (1969)
19. Idris Muhammad - Peace and Rhythm (1971)
20. Michael White - The Land of Spirit and Light (1973)
21. Joe Henderson - The Elements (1973)
22. Donald Byrd - Black Byrd (1973)
23. Art Ensemble of Chicago - Les Stances à Sophie (1970)
24. David S. Ware Quartet - Wisdom of Uncertainty (1997)
25. Ishmael Wadada Leo Smith - Divine Love (1979)

Spiritual Jazz and the charts

One of the most significant events in the history of spiritual jazz was the release of John Coltrane’s album A Love Supreme in 1965. The record was not only a critical success, but it also became a commercial hit, reaching number 47 on the Billboard 200 chart. A Love Supreme is considered a seminal work in the spiritual jazz genre and has influenced countless musicians in the decades since its release.

Another influential spiritual jazz artist is Pharoah Sanders, who is known for his use of African and Middle Eastern musical themes in his work. Sanders’ 1969 album, Karma, is widely regarded as a classic of the genre and was a commercial hit, reaching number 54 on the Billboard 200 chart. Sanders’ follow-up record, Jewels Of Thought (1969), was also successful, reaching number 141 on the Billboard 200 chart.

In the 1970s, spiritual jazz continued to evolve, with artists such as Alice Coltrane and Don Cherry incorporating Eastern musical themes, traditional African instruments, and free improvisation into their work. Alice Coltrane’s Journey In Satchidananda (1971) is considered a seminal work in the genre and was a commercial success, reaching number 159 on the Billboard 200 chart.

In the 1980s, spiritual jazz began to lose its commercial appeal, with many artists moving towards more experimental and avant-garde styles. However, there were still some commercially successful records in the genre during this time. One such record was Carlos Ward’s Niko Songs (1985), which reached number 156 on the Billboard Jazz Albums chart.

In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in spiritual jazz, with many new artists incorporating the genre’s themes and instrumentation into their work. One notable example is Kamasi Washington, whose 2015 album, The Epic, was a critical and commercial success, reaching number 24 on the Billboard 200 chart. The Epic features a large ensemble of musicians and incorporates elements of funk, hip-hop, and classical music alongside spiritual jazz.

Another modern artist who has achieved commercial success with spiritual jazz is Shabaka Hutchings. Hutchings is a saxophonist known for his work with the bands Sons Of Kemet and The Comet Is Coming. His 2018 album, Your Queen Is A Reptile, was a critical and commercial success, reaching number 206 on the UK Albums Chart.

What people have said about Spiritual Jazz

One notable book that explores the history and significance of Spiritual Jazz is “The Spiritual Jazz Era” by Bob Gluck. The book provides an in-depth analysis of the emergence of this genre and its impact on the jazz music scene. Gluck argues that Spiritual Jazz was not just about music, but about creating a community of like-minded individuals who shared a common goal of social and political change. He also notes that Spiritual Jazz was influenced by the music of John Coltrane, who was himself deeply interested in spirituality and Eastern philosophy.

Another book that sheds light on the history of Spiritual Jazz is “A Love Supreme: The Story of John Coltrane’s Signature Album” by Ashley Kahn. The book is a detailed account of Coltrane’s landmark album “A Love Supreme” which is often regarded as the quintessential example of Spiritual Jazz. Kahn argues that the album was Coltrane’s attempt to translate his own spiritual experiences into music, and to communicate his vision of a more inclusive and compassionate world.

Notable quotes about Spiritual Jazz are numerous. One of the most famous comes from John Coltrane himself, who said “My goal is to live the truly religious life and express it through my music. If you live it, when you play there’s no problem because the music is part of the whole thing.” In other words, Coltrane believed that music was a manifestation of one’s spiritual beliefs and that it was impossible to separate the two.

Another quote comes from Alice Coltrane, John Coltrane’s wife and a renowned pianist, composer and bandleader in her own right. She said “Music is a powerful stimulus that invites us to come to the present moment. And because of that, I feel that music is a flip-side of meditation… It is through this medium that people can be introduced to a higher consciousness.”

More recently, Kamasi Washington, a contemporary musician who has been heavily influenced by Spiritual Jazz, has made the following observation about the genre: “I think the music is an expression of people looking for something more. It’s people searching for a deeper sense of meaning in their lives, which is why the music is so powerful. It speaks to people in a way that feels really authentic.”

Spiritual Jazz in context

One of the external conditions that helped bring the genre into existence was the civil rights movement. African American musicians faced immense discrimination and racism in the music industry and society as a whole. Spiritual Jazz provided an avenue for black artists to express themselves and explore new sounds that were previously inaccessible.

Additionally, the genre evolved during the era of bebop, hard bop, and free jazz, where musicians experimented with improvisation, complex rhythms, and unconventional structures. The avant-garde movements of the 1960s encouraged a sense of experimentation and exploration in music.

Furthermore, the cultural context of the 1960s played a significant role in the development of Spiritual Jazz. The counterculture, anti-war, and hippie movements spread across the United States, and the music responded to these cultural shifts. Spiritual Jazz was seen as a form of resistance and a rejection of conventional norms.

Several notable record labels played a crucial role in promoting Spiritual Jazz throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Impulse! Records, Blue Note Records, and Strata-East Records all released seminal Spiritual Jazz albums that are still celebrated today. These labels provided artists with musical freedom, allowing them to experiment and push the boundaries of jazz music.

Music journalists were also instrumental in promoting Spiritual Jazz. Creem Magazine, DownBeat, and JazzTimes were some of the magazines that covered the genre extensively, providing a platform for artists to gain recognition and reach a wider audience.

Several significant figures also emerged during the development of Spiritual Jazz. John Coltrane is widely considered to be one of the pioneers of the genre, with his album A Love Supreme being one of the most iconic Spiritual Jazz records ever recorded. Other notable figures include Pharoah Sanders, Alice Coltrane, Sun Ra, and Archie Shepp.

Later in the 1970s, the advent of technological advancements such as synthesizers and electronic instruments led to the emergence of a new sub-genre of Spiritual Jazz, dubbed “cosmic jazz.” Artists like Herbie Hancock and Lonnie Liston Smith embraced these new technologies, creating a sound that fused jazz with elements of funk, soul, and electronica.

If you like Spiritual Jazz you may like..

Free Jazz: A subgenre of jazz characterized by its avant-garde, experimental and improvisational qualities.

Afrobeat: A genre that combines traditional African music and western jazz, funk, and soul influences.

Ethio-jazz: A fusion of jazz and traditional Ethiopian music, characterized by its distinctive pentatonic scale and use of traditional Ethiopian instruments.

Avant-garde jazz: A style that emphasizes improvisation, experimentation, and unconventional techniques.

Soul jazz: A subgenre of jazz that incorporates elements of rhythm and blues, gospel, and funk music.