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The Best Thing To Ever Happen In 1960
Season 12 Episode 22
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John Coltrane’s Giant Steps isn’t just a classic — it’s a rite of passage. In this episode, we unpack how this 1960 album became a cornerstone of modern jazz education and a benchmark for technical mastery. From the dizzying harmonic movement of the title track to the emotional depth of “Naima,” Giant Steps set a new standard for improvisers. In this episode you'll hear:
- A breakdown of why Giant Steps became essential study material for every serious jazz musician
- An explanation of Coltrane changes and what makes the harmony so challenging
- Isolated stems from Art Taylor and Paul Chambers
- Discussion of Tommy Flanagan’s famously tough piano solo on the title track
- Context around each track — from bluesy tunes like “Cousin Mary” to the ballad “Naima”
- Fun side debates, including whether Giant Steps is better than Kind of Blue and a correction on its release year
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Published on 5 months, 2 weeks ago