Re: [microsound] John's teeth filing techniques(was" Alternative performance devices")

[vze26m98 <vze26m98@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On 5/30/03 at 11:49 AM, Bill Jarboe <billjarboe@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> no... I want to know more about the teeth filing(!). How much ?
> What kind of file ? Did it make noise? Long filing sessions ,
> breaks etc. ?

"Reportedly, Coltrane was so fanatic about having a perfect connection
with the instrument that he had his upper teeth filed into a slight
curve so as to match the curve of his mouthpiece"

p. 126 Lewis Porter, "John Coltrane: His Life and Music," U of M Press

(I'll put in a plug for my friend Lewis' book: it's the authoritative
one on Coltrane's life. No one has done as much research.)

The details are in a panel session of 1992 of the John Coltrane Society.
I'll see if I can track down the recording if you're interested! :)

Best,

Tad

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