John Coltrane (tenor sax), McCoy Tyner (piano), Steve Davis (bass) and Elvin Jones (drums). From the album My Favorite Things (1961).
The doble bass has always been the poor friend of the gang, but in reality it plays a fundamental role. It provides the basis on which the theme can work. Mark the time and give that deep sound so necessary so that the melody does not fall apart. Steve Davis was the band's first doble bass player, but apart from working on this album, he did not dedicate himself too much to music.
This version of Summertime is very different from the others. It seems atonal, like sloppily cast into the music chest. Tyner does a great job in the accompaniment. And Coltrane continues with his crazy melodic phrases. Any resemblance to the original theme is purely coincidental. His frenetic solo is a pure distortion of the traditional melody. Tyner is more condescending and his solo is more orthodox. Then the double bass enters because it also has something to say. And also, of course, Elvin Jones gives his point of view with the battery. To conclude, Coltrane re-exposes the theme as distorted as it began.
© Atlantic Records