Part 3: Pursuance

John Coltrane (tenor sax), McCoy Tyner (piano), Jimmy Garrison (bass) and Elvin Jones (drums). From the album A Love Supreme (1965).

The theme begins with a solo by Jones on drums. Inexhaustible, he seems to want to embrace the whole space with his sound in his fight against evil. The drums are the most earthly instrument of the group without any hint of spirituality. Coltrane’s solo is based on triplets, alluding to the trinity and indoctrinating his groupmates. If the Father means recognition and the Son means resurrection, the Holy Spirit tries to rescue the human being from his bondage to earthly temptations.

Then Tyner enters with his piano representing the excesses of the flesh. He does not feel restrained, but expresses himself extensively in a description of worldly relationships. He does not pay attention to details and relieves himself without restriction. Then Coltrane enters into an open discussion insisting on his postulates. He speaks warmly to the human heart with his own earthly language making desperate mentions to God.

He reiterates his arguments by prolonging his points of view until he is exalted and then calms down. The drums enters into a last profane attack, but finally the theme shows us the human giving way to the Holy Spirit. Garrison demonstrates this with his double bass entering a state of peace and serenity, remembering the four notes, the name of God. Calmness and serenity overcome worldly noise.