Naima (1959) – John Coltrane

Naima is composed by John Coltrane in 1959 that he named after his then-wife, Juanita Naima Grubbs. Coltrane first recorded it for his 1959 album Giant Steps, and it became one of his first well-known works. Naima featured in a scene in the 2013 Polish movie Ida, in which the title character is intrigued by the jazz and its player. Ida featured here in Friday’s Finest. I wrote:

I am not a big fan of jazz but the choice of Coltrane’s jazz music for parts of this film really let you feel what jazz is all about; it was beautiful.

I don’t know why, but when listening to Naima (and I don’t intend to disparage the name of Coltrane’s former wife), this music reminds me of so many scenes in movies of seedy districts and bar-cruising US style circa 70’s and early 80’s. So, Naima was way ahead of its time at least according to my senses.
Taxi Driver is one such movie which throws me back to this song. I wish I had listened to more Jazz, but you go where your music-heart takes you. This track remains to me a quintessential ‘soundtrack‘ theme. On the whole; that’s jazz to me. It’s like baseball in the sports realm. It’s nice to have on, but better in the background as an atmospheric filler unless you see it live. I saw the Australian Jazz trumpeter James Morrison play in a basement lounge in Circular Quay, Sydney. Now, that was something.

John William Coltrane was an American jazz saxophonist, bandleader and composer. He is among the most influential and acclaimed figures in the history of jazz and 20th-century music. Coltrane helped pioneer the use of modes and was one of the players at the forefront of free jazz. He led at least fifty recording sessions and appeared on many albums by other musicians, including trumpeter Miles Davis.

References:
1. Naima – Wikipedia

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