The World According to John Coltrane

"The World According to John Coltrane" is a multi-faceted portrait of this transcendental musician's spirit, who was one of the most innovative and influential jazz saxophonist of the 1960's. Defying typical musical and documentary conventions, "The World According to John Coltrane" is the first film about his life made with the full cooperation of Alice Coltrane, his widow. Tracing Coltrane's musical growth from his roots in the black church, Rhythm and Blues, this riveting film culminates in a musical meeting between the Art Ensemble Of Chicago saxophonist Roscoe Mitchell and dervish musicians in Morocco's Sahara Desert in 1990 (23 years after Coltrane's death). "The World According to John Coltrane" also includes extensive performance footage of Coltrane, some never before seen. Blistering European concert performances of "My Favourite Things" and "Naima", are among the film's rich discoveries, along with recording of Coltrane playing the alto saxophone (on Charlie Parker's "Koko") while in the Navy in 1946. "The World According to John Coltrane" explores all the dimensions of his massive contemporary impact.