Released June 1964 Length 8:39 Composer(s) John Coltrane | Genre Jazz Label Atlantic
SD 1419 | |
Recorded October 24 & 26, 1960
Atlantic Studios, New York City | ||
"Equinox" is a minor blues jazz standard by American jazz saxophone player and composer John Coltrane. Originally released on Coltrane's Sound played in C# minor with a slow swing feel. However, it is usually played in the key of C Minor and often covered on the flute.
Contents
Name
Coltrane’s wife Naima named the song "Equinox". The equinox occur twice a year, when the tilt of the Earth’s axis is inclined neither away from nor towards the sun. John Coltrane was born on September 23, 1926, one day before the official autumn equinox of that year.
The release of "Equinox" was delayed until 1964 when Atlantic issued the album Coltrane’s Sound. Before he recorded it, Coltrane performed "Equinox" several times in live venues, including a session with Miles Davis’ rhythm section and at the 1960 Monterey Jazz Festival. Unfortunately, the other Atlantic recordings of "Equinox" were lost in the 1978 warehouse fire before they were released. Unlike Naima and My Favorite Things, Equinox would not become part of Coltrane’s repertoire.
Coltrane's attitude in writing "Equinox" is described by Dr Lewis Porter as "Coltrane was a serious blues player and his blues pieces reflect the desire to get back to a primal mood, and away from the emotionally lighter, harmonically more complicated and complex blues of the boppers."
The original recording
"Equinox" is introduced by McCoy Tyner and Elvin Jones with a Latin rhythmic passage which shifts into the slower tempo of the theme. The composition evokes a sense of mystery. Coltrane then enters on the horn (a tenor), his playing slow and pensive. The theme is repeated for two choruses and then stating the theme twice. He then proceeds with an improvisation of unusual emotional depth - reminiscent of a preacher exhorting his congregation. Elvin Jones make dramatic use of drum rolls and cymbal crashes throughout the song to maintain the sense of mystery. McCoy Tyner comps with a light feel.
Form & Lead Sheet for Equinox
Equinox is a 12 bar minor blues with a fourteen bar introduction. The head is played twice before and after the solos.
Covers
Equinox has been covered by: