Watch Chasing Trane: The John Coltrane Documentary

Chasing Trane: The John Coltrane Documentary is a 2016 film directed by John Scheinfeld. The movie tells the story of the legendary jazz saxophonist John Coltrane, one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. The film features rare footage, archival photos, and interviews with some of the biggest names in music, including Denzel Washington, Cornel West, Carlos Santana, and Wynton Marsalis. The documentary also features interviews with members of Coltrane's family, including his widow Alice Coltrane and their children Ravi and Michelle.

The film is structured around Coltrane's life and career, starting with his early years growing up in North Carolina, where he first discovered the saxophone. The documentary then charts Coltrane's rise to fame in the 1950s, playing with jazz legends like Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk, and his eventual breakthrough as a solo artist, when he began to explore new forms of jazz that reflected his spiritual beliefs.

Chasing Trane also delves into Coltrane's personal life, including his struggles with drug addiction and his profound spiritual awakening in the mid-1960s. The film's interviews with family members and close collaborators provide insight into the man behind the music, painting a complex portrait of a brilliant but troubled artist.

Despite its focus on Coltrane's life, the heart of the film is his music. The documentary features extended performances of some of Coltrane's most iconic pieces, including "My Favorite Things" and "A Love Supreme," that showcase his unparalleled talent and musical innovation.

One of the most fascinating aspects of Chasing Trane is the way it explores Coltrane's deep spiritual beliefs and how they influenced his music. The film traces Coltrane's discovery of Eastern spirituality and his growing interest in the power of music to transcend boundaries and connect people across cultures.

Throughout the documentary, we see how Coltrane used his music to explore these spiritual themes, creating a powerful and deeply moving body of work that continues to inspire new generations of listeners. The film also highlights Coltrane's commitment to social justice and his belief in the transformative power of music to bring people together and effect change in the world.

Overall, Chasing Trane is a rich and engrossing portrait of one of the most remarkable musicians of the 20th century. The film offers a deep and nuanced examination of Coltrane's life, music, and legacy, drawing on a wealth of archival material and insightful interviews to create a compelling and moving tribute to a true musical genius. Whether you're a die-hard jazz fan or just someone who appreciates great music, this documentary is a must-see.

Chasing Trane: The John Coltrane Documentary is a 2017 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 39 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3.