"My Favorite Things" is John Coltrane’s transformative jazz interpretation of the Rodgers and Hammerstein song from the 1959 Broadway musical The Sound of Music. Released in March 1961 as the title track of his Atlantic Records album, it marked a pivotal moment in Coltrane’s career and in the evolution of modern jazz12.
Background and Inspiration
- Coltrane was introduced to the song when a regular at New York’s Jazz Gallery handed him the sheet music. He brought it to rehearsal, and the band "fell right into it"34.
- At the time, adapting Broadway tunes into jazz standards was common practice, as these songs were part of the Great American Songbook and widely recognized by the public45.
- Coltrane’s version was recorded with his newly formed "classic quartet": McCoy Tyner (piano), Steve Davis (bass), and Elvin Jones (drums)3612.
Musical Innovation
- Soprano Saxophone: This was Coltrane’s first album featuring the soprano sax, an instrument he began exploring after Miles Davis bought him one in 196012. Its bright, piercing sound became central to the recording’s distinctive voice.
- Modal Jazz: Instead of following the original’s chord changes, Coltrane and Tyner soloed over vamps of two tonic chords (E minor and E major), played in waltz (3/4) time172. This modal approach allowed for extended improvisation and a hypnotic, trance-like atmosphere.
- Rhythm Section: Elvin Jones’s rolling triplets and Tyner’s percussive left hand created a swirling, almost meditative groove, while Davis anchored the harmonic foundation73.
Artistic and Cultural Impact
- Coltrane’s "My Favorite Things" stretched the song from its original 2:45 Broadway version to a nearly 14-minute jazz epic, transforming a familiar show tune into a vehicle for spiritual and musical exploration32.
- The recording was both a commercial and artistic breakthrough, selling 50,000 copies in 1961 and becoming a hit single in its edited form132.
- The track’s modal improvisation and Eastern influences foreshadowed Coltrane’s later spiritual jazz masterpieces, such as A Love Supreme2.
- Its success introduced Coltrane to a broader audience and inspired countless musicians—jazz and beyond—to rethink the possibilities of improvisation and song interpretation32.
Legacy
- "My Favorite Things" became Coltrane’s most requested tune and a staple of his live performances, bridging jazz with popular culture and expanding the genre’s reach12.
- The album was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and is considered one of the greatest achievements in jazz2.
- Coltrane himself called it "my favorite piece of all those I have recorded"1.
Summary Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Release Year | 1961 (album: My Favorite Things) |
| Original Songwriters | Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein II (from The Sound of Music, 1959) |
| Quartet Personnel | John Coltrane (soprano sax), McCoy Tyner (piano), Steve Davis (bass), Elvin Jones (drums) |
| Musical Style | Modal jazz, 3/4 waltz time, extended improvisation |
| Notable Features | Soprano sax, modal vamping on E minor/E major, trance-like rhythm section |
| Impact | Major commercial success, broadened jazz’s audience, inspired new directions in jazz |
| Legacy | Jazz standard, Grammy Hall of Fame, Coltrane’s signature piece |
John Coltrane’s "My Favorite Things" remains a landmark in jazz, celebrated for its innovation, emotional depth, and enduring influence—transforming a Broadway show tune into a timeless, transcendent musical journey132.
