Saxophonist John Coltrane was born on September 23, 1926, in North Carolina, USA. He began playing the clarinet at age 13, later switching to the alto saxophone, and then to the tenor saxophone in 1949. He began his professional career in 1946 but remained unknown for a long time. He rose to fame as a member of Miles Davis's quintet in 1955. He began his solo career in 1957 and released his debut album, "Coltrane." His 1959 album "Giant Steps" became a huge hit, described as a "sheet of sound" for its incredibly fast chord changes. In 1961, he formed a new quartet with pianist McCoy Tyner, bassist Jimmy Garrison, and drummer Elvin Jones. In the late 1960s, he switched from modern jazz to free jazz, tackling more spiritual themes. His final concert was in May 1967, and he died in July of the same year at the young age of 40. He was hailed as a charismatic figure in the jazz world, and his unreleased songs are still being circulated today.