Four for Trane

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Work

Four for Trane was tenor saxophonist Archie Shepp's first album for Impulse! in 1965. It came about thanks to John Coltrane, who put in a good word with producer Bob Thiele after an evening at the Half Note. Thiele set one condition: the group had to play Coltrane's music. Four of the five pieces are by Coltrane and were rewritten by the saxophonist and the trombonist Roswell Rudd. The band had rehearsed for months, and the recording went almost take by take. Coltrane came to listen himself and was co-producer.

Also playing are Alan Shorter on flugelhorn, John Tchicai on alto saxophone, bassist Reggie Workman and drummer Charles Moffett, among others. The Penguin Guide to Jazz counts the record as part of its core collection. Critics wrote that the arrangements do not repeat the pieces, but make something new of them.

Listening

Track list

1. 1Syeeda's Song Flute8:30Apple Music ↗
2. 2Mr. Syms7:42Apple Music ↗
3. 3Cousin Mary7:14Apple Music ↗
4. 4Naima7:09Apple Music ↗
5. 5Rufus (Swung, His Face at Last to the Wind, Then His Neck Snapped)6:24Apple Music ↗

30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗