‘Last Giant’ a Coltrane Audio History

It’s not unusual for a reissue package to be loaded with unreleased tracks, but “The Last Giant: A John Coltrane Anthology,” just out on Rhino Records, is different. Instead of simply including alternate takes of previously released numbers or unissued studio tracks, this package includes five unreleased tracks garnered from private collections. (The two-CD set is $27.98; the two-cassette set is $16.98.)

Also in this package, which focuses on material Coltrane recorded for the Atlantic label, is a 2-minute track from 1946 of an 18-year-old Coltrane playing a Charlie Parker-ish chorus on “Hot House.” And on two “live” tracks from 1951 and 1953, with bands led by Dizzy Gillespie and Johnny Hodges, respectively, you hear glimpses of Coltrane’s unique and energized style, which would emerge fully formed in the mid-to-late ‘50s.

These previously unheard numbers were culled by Joel Dorn, who produced the set for Rhino. “That’s Joel’s specialty. He knows a community of people who have private recordings,” said David Dorn, a Rhino executive and Dorn’s son.

Besides the private tracks--one of which is a 25-minute, 1961 “live” version of “My Favorite Things,” the tune that propelled Coltrane into jazz stardom--there are numbers that Coltrane recorded as a leader for Prestige (“Russian Lullaby”) and Bluenote (“Blue Train”). Seven of the set’s 19 tracks are from Atlantic sessions, among them such classics as 1960’s “My Favorite Things” and “Equinox” and 1959’s “Giant Steps.” Also included are studio recordings led by Gillespie and Thelonious Monk, “Trinkle, Trinkle.”

With its unique photographs--many printed for the first time here--first-class essays by Ira Gitler, Lewis Porter (who traces the lineage of Coltrane’s family) and Amiri Baraka and rare recordings, “The Last Giant” is as close to an audio history of Coltrane we’ve had.

The dandy reissue is the first release in Rhino’s “Atlantic Jazz Gallery,” a program devoted to reissuing treasures from the Atlantic catalogue. Rhino will each month issue an anthology--sets by Les McCann, Charles Mingus and Rahsaan Roland Kirk are coming out soon--as well as other previously unreleased single albums and samplers.

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Maynard Regales L.A.: Maynard Ferguson, who plays notes on his trumpet so high sometimes only angels can hear them, will lead his Big Bop Nouveau band Sunday at 7 p.m. in a benefit for the First AME Church’s Youth Department and Educational Center. The concert, during which the trumpeter will play pieces from his latest Avion Records release, “Footpath Cafe,” will be held at the church, at 2270 S. Harvard Blvd. Tickets, $15. Information: (213) 735-1251, ext. 728.

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A Woman’s View: “Jazz Through a Woman’s Eye,” a photo exhibit by Catalina Manzano that includes likenesses of Dizzy Gillespie, Ron Carter, Tony Williams, Percy Heath and others, can be seen Saturday only, noon to 6 p.m., at Eastman Kodak, 6700 Santa Monica Blvd. Admission is free.

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Critic’s Choice: Distinctive stuff with the sweet musical flavor of the ‘50s and ‘60s, but with a contemporary touch, is what you can expect from bassist John Clayton, and his brother, reedman Jeff, who hold forth tonight and Saturday at the Club Brasserie in the Hotel Bel-Age in West Hollywood.