JAZZ : Coltrane and ‘60s Revolution

It was 1955 when bassist, composer, psychologist and educator Art Davis met saxophone giant John Coltrane. But it was their second meeting three years later that cemented their relationship.

“I was with Max (Roach), and we were playing in Harlem at a place called Small’s Paradise,” Davis recalled recently. “Miles (Davis’) band played earlier in the evening at Birdland and, after their gig, he and Cannonball (Adderley) and Coltrane dropped by to see us. During the break, Coltrane came up to Booker Little and me and asked for our numbers. I thought it was nice of him to come up and say he liked our playing, but I had doubts that I would ever hear from him again.

“But the next morning he called and asked if I could rehearse with him. I said, ‘Sure, it would be an honor.’ He said, ‘Can you do it today?’ And that was the beginning of a very close relationship.”

In a lecture Friday at UC Irvine, “The Soaring ‘60s Through the Eyes of Jazz,” Davis will explore the turbulent decade during which his friend, who died in 1967, revolutionized the world of jazz. The free event, which marks Davis’ selection for the Chancellor’s Distinguished Lectureship, will also include a six-minute film clip of Coltrane performing “Afro-Blue” and demonstrations of Coltrane’s musical style by a quartet that includes Davis, saxophonist Michael Session, keyboardist Todd Cochran and drummer Billy Mintz.

“But this is not a concert,” Davis said, explaining that his talk will give a sociological-psychological overview of the forces at work during the period, with a focus on Coltrane’s creative advancements.

“He was the most important person (in music) during the decade. He influenced almost every aspect of the musical scene. Symphonic music, jazz, fusion and pop were all touched by him. Even James Brown used some of Coltrane’s elements.”

Though Davis turned down the offer to join Coltrane’s first band--he had just signed on to tour Europe with Dizzy Gillespie--he often rehearsed with the saxophonist and appeared on the landmark “Ascension” and “Africa Brass” recordings.

“At the beginning, we just talked about music,” Davis said. “Later, he started to reveal more of his personal beliefs and thoughts.

“People thought Charlie Parker had exhausted everything and that you couldn’t take the music any further. Then this man comes along and remakes everything, expanding what Parker did and exploring all new concepts. He was lambasted by almost all the critics. But some people move things so far ahead, that there’s a tendency not to understand them.”

What: “The Soaring ‘60s Through the Eyes of Jazz,” a lecture-demonstration given by Art Davis.

When: Friday, May 22, at 8 p.m. (A reception with Davis will follow.)

Where: Social Science Hall, UC Irvine, Campus and University drives, Irvine.

Whereabouts: Exit the San Diego (405) Freeway at Jamboree Boulevard and go west. Turn left onto Campus Drive, then right onto Berkley Street and right again at Pereira Drive. Park in Lot Three. The Social Science Hall is directly west of Lot Three.

Wherewithal: Free.

Where to Call: (714) 856-5484.