John Coltrane's Troubles

I've mentioned in other blog posts about John Coltrane's troubles during the 1962 to early 1963 timeframe. He had been experiencing adverse criticism in the music press, he had mouthpiece troubles, embouchure trouble, perhaps due to dental issues, and marital problems.
Frank Kofsky's extensive interview with Coltrane in 1965 has been making really interesting reading. Trane was known for not really opening up during interviews, but he did much more so for Kofsky. What's seems clear to me now is that Trane was suffering from a crisis of confidence during the 1962/1963 period, which was likely triggered by his family problems, then exacerbated by his horn problems, then the critics. Trane felt his mouthpiece was not allowing him to perform accurately at speed the way he wanted, but in retrospect it probably was. He didn't replace the mouthpiece, and after a year he just felt comfortable again.
Impulse's desire to broaden Coltrane's catalogue worked at that precise time when Trane was at a low ebb. Bob Thiele at Impulse likely knew that Trane was needing support and gave him the chance to relax, and not push the boundaries too much.
Coltrane always felt under pressure to deliver against his recording contract. He also had the pressure of providing employment for his group, and that would drive live dates and recording sessions. Trying to get Coltrane to record as much as possible, Thiele would also plan recording time when he felt Trane's band needed cash.
During the last couple of years of his life, Coltrane had gained a lot of weight, and had adjusted to a vegetarian diet, firstly to lose weight and secondly because he felt it gave him energy, and helped calm him, and be in control of his 'passions and emotions'. Despite being an outwardly quiet, gentle man, I suspect Coltrane may have had his inner troubles, not just in his health. Part of his search for truth, spirituality, and driving to the extremes of his art may have been driven by this inner turmoil.

References : What a Wonderful World by Bob Thiele (1995), Jazz & Pop (Sep '67), Jazz Magazine (Jan '62)

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