COLTRANE, John.

Description

Schumann Saal, Düsseldorf November 1962 concert poster (Michel+Kieser)

Exceedingly scarce original vintage first printing concert poster advertising American jazz saxophonist and composer John Coltrane at the Schumann Saal in Düsseldorf [Germany] on Friday, 23rd November, 1962, presented by Norman Granz in association with local Düsseldorf promoter René Heinersdorff. The concert in Düsseldorf was part of Coltrane’s first German tour in his own name, after his joint headlining tour with Dizzy Gillespie the previous year. It was the first tour of the so-called “Classic Quartet”, featuring pianist McCoy Tyner, double bassist Jimmy Garrison, and drummer Elvin Jones. With this line-up he recorded Coltrane in April 1962, produced by Bob Thiele and released in July 1962 on Impulse! Records. “Even more than any platitudes one can heap on this extraordinary recording,” Michael G. Nastos wrote in his review, “Coltrane historically falls between the albums Olé Coltrane and Impressions — completing a triad of studio efforts that are as definitive as anything Coltrane ever produced, and highly representative of him in his prime.” After Eric Dolphy departed and Jimmy Garrison had replaced Reggie Workman,  Coltrane was moving toward a more harmonically static style that allowed him to expand his improvisations rhythmically, melodically, and motivically. Harmonically complex music was still present, but on stage Coltrane heavily favored continually reworking his “standards”: “Impressions”, “My Favorite Things”, and “I Want to Talk About You”. A number of concerts from the 1962 European tour were recorded. Of particularly interest are the two concerts at Konserthuset in Stockholm on 19th November, 1962. These are now available on a four CD set, released by Domino Records in 2015. The poster features strong expressive abstract artwork by noted graphic duo, Hans Michel and Günther Kieser, with their imprint to the center of the right side border. The poster has been signed in pencil by Günther Kieser to the bottom right corner. I have handled a few of these posters in my time, but never one in such perfect condition as this one. Museum quality.

The poster measures 84.2 x 60.3 cm and is beautifully printed on thin, uncoated paper stock. In excellent unfolded and unmarked condition. Feel free to email us with any questions you may have concerning this item. Additional images of the poster available on request.