Ascension: John Coltrane and His Quest

Tenor saxophone player Coltrane was a pioneer of free-form jazz, a forerunner of today's world music, and one of the first artists to reflect society's tribulations through his art form--a true original. Nisenson explores the shadow Coltrane cast in this must-read for music fans. Selected discography.
Ascension is as spellbinding as Coltrane's music.--The New Review of Records

This remarkable book traces the development of Coltrane's music as it moved from hard bop to the freest jazz. . . . Informed and convincing, Ascension belongs on the short list of essential music books . . .--Lang Thompson, Option

Nisenson . . . presents us with a sensitive and vivid portrait of Coltrane as he progressed from a 'journeyman bopper' addicted to alcohol and heroin to a profoundly spiritual 'warrior' seeking knowledge of God through the making of music.--Booklist

Equal parts biography, jazz history, social history, and listener's guide, Ascension manages to be both entertaining and enlightening. Though Eric Nisenson is an avowed fan of Coltrane, he maintains clearheadedness where others often succumb to gibberish. As a listener's guide to Coltrane recordings, the book is perceptive and thorough.--New York Times Book Review