John Coltrane’s Centennial: How Artists From Ariana Grande to Beastie Boys Have Been Inspired by the Jazz Pioneer
Categoria: Musica
Verve Label Group president/CEO Jamie Krents on discovering new recordings and new audiences to celebrate the late legend at 100 years.
Por Billboard | 20/07/2026
What do Chaka Khan, Ariana Grande, OutKast and Beastie Boys have in common? Jazz legend John Coltrane . On her 1982 self-titled album, Khan sampled the 1960 Coltrane gem “Giant Steps” for “Be-Bop Medley.” Grande’s 2019 Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 “7 Rings” interpolates the melody of the seminal jazz saxophonist’s 1961 freestyle take on the Sound of Music classic “My Favorite Things.” Hip-hop icons OutKast covered “My Favorite Things” in their own inimitable style on the pair’s Grammy-winning album Speakerboxxx/The Love Below . And Beastie Boys tapped into the Coltrane catalog by sampling “Part 1: Acknowledgement” from the late artist’s 1965 masterpiece, A Love Supreme , for its “Song for Junior” on 1998’s Hello Nasty , which sold more than 3 million copies, according to Luminate. Related Reflections on a Genre: ‘Jazz Is Far From Dead’ (Guest Column) Desiigner Arrested on Domestic Violence Charge in South Carolina DJ Quik Says His Son 'Made a Mistake' Following Murder Conviction, Pleads With Fans to Stop Asking About It These are just some of the artists who have interacted with Coltrane’s work. The late genius inspired everyone from David Bowie to Mac Miller and infiltrated popular culture through prestige film and TV such as Vanilla Sky , The Sopranos and Breaking Bad . Such use of Coltrane’s music speaks volumes of the artist’s legacy and explains why Verve Label Group is supporting a yearlong global celebration of the 100th anniversary of John William Coltrane’s birth on Sept. 23. Under the direction of Jamie Krents, president/CEO of Verve Label Group (which includes Coltrane’s home base, Impulse! Records) and president/CEO of the global catalog division Universal Music Enterprises (UMe), the centennial celebration kicked off in January with the Impulse! release of the limited edition, two-album vinyl compilation Essential John Coltrane . In April, the New York State Legislature commemorated the centennial with a special resolution to celebrate the “hero to Harlem residents.” State lawmakers were joined by representatives of Verve/Impulse! and the Coltrane estate, who together are organizing the series of events being planned in tribute to the musician, who died in 1967 at the age of 40. And not just Verve/Impulse! are involved, Krents says. Sister label Blue Note released two special editions of 1958’s Blue Train in June. And in the run-up to the major birthday week celebration in September, salutes are also being put together by Atlantic Records and BMG/Concord’s Craft Records. “What I love is that you’re seeing his influence resonate across many different parts of the world,” Krents says. “Kendrick Lamar has been incredibly effusive about his love for Coltrane, as have Flea, Bill Clinton and Flying Lotus. You’re getting people from all walks of life shouting him out. “Coltrane is spiritual music that can absolutely transcend genre,” Krents adds. “It’s meditative, sometimes very intense b