Before John Was a Jazz Giant: A Song of John Coltrane

Subtle, Biography, Poetic, Jazz, Simple

Before John Was a Jazz Giant: A Song of
John Coltrane by Carole Boston Weatherford
Illustrated by Sean Qualls
Published by Henry Holt and Co.
Copyright 2008
Coretta Scott King Honor Book 2009
3rd Grade Read Aloud


Author Carole Weatherford writes about John Coltrane's growth into a jazz musician.  This poetic picture book explains how what Coltrane heard influenced his musical pieces he later wrote as a jazz saxophonist. Coltrane grew up in the South in the 1930s and the sounds he heard in church, on the radio, and at home, shaped him as a musician. Sean Qualls's illustrations help paint a picture of Coltrane's music as his story is narrated by the author.


Suggested Delivery: Read Aloud
Grade Level (Lexile): AD1090L, Ages 5-9

Key Vocabulary: Jazz, saxophone, hymns, sermons, phonograph, kinfolk, warbling

Teaching Suggestions:

• Before Reading: This book tells about the every day sounds Coltrane heard growing up. Ask students to close their eyes and quietly listen to the sounds they hear in and out of the classroom. After listening, ask students to identify the sounds they heard. Do you know what makes that sound? Is it a loud sound or a soft sound?
• During Reading: Discuss with students the topic of Jazz music. Have you ever heard of Jazz music? What do you know about it? What does it sound like?
• After Reading: Discuss with students the illustrations in the book. How do pictures help us read? How did these pictures help you understand John as he was growing up? Did these pictures, along with the words, help you think about what the music might sound like?

 Writing Activity: Students will listen to the music from any of the video and audio links below and write about the music. Do the sounds flow together or are they choppy? How does the music make you feel? Does the music make you want to keep listening or is it unpleasant to listen to? Students will write about their opinion of the music (i.e. Do you like this type of music? Why/Why not?)

Electronic Resources:

• Live, 1965 playing "Naima".: This is a live video and audio recording of Coltrane playing his saxophone; the song "Naima".
• On Green Dolpin Street: This is a live video and audio recording of Coltrane playing his saxophone; the song "On Green Dolphin Street".
• A Love Supreme: This is a live audio and video recording of Coltrane playing his saxophone; the song "A Love Supreme" in 1965. 
• In A Sentimental Mood: This is an audio of Coltrane playing the saxophone for the song "In A Sentimental Mood".

Weatherford, C. B., & Qualls, S. (2008). Before John was a jazz giant: a song of John Coltrane. New York: Henry Holt.