A match made in heaven! This 1963 Impulse! LP is a career highlight for Johnny Hartman's beautiful baritone voice and John Coltrane's exploratory yet empathetic tenor sax.

 

John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman is one of the three all-ballad albums that John Coltrane recorded in late 1962 and early 1963. Hartman was apparently Coltrane's suggestion, and his deep, dark voice meshes perfectly here with Coltrane's tenor. "The material is well-chosen, including definitive readings of 'My One and Only Love' and 'Lush Life.' McCoy Tyner fills out the chords, augmenting the harmonies and keeping the tone of these ballads respectful but not overly sentimental. All the players get to the deep structure of the songs and are not afraid to play in the most essential and elegant manner. This is beautiful jazz." — Michael Monhart

 

John Coltrane's matchup with singer Johnny Hartman, although quite unexpected, works extremely well. Hartman was in prime form on the six ballads, and his versions of 'Lush Life' and 'My One and Only Love' have never been topped. Coltrane's playing throughout the session is beautiful, sympathetic, and still exploratory; he sticks exclusively to tenor on the date. At only half an hour, one wishes there were twice as much music, but what is here is classic, essential for all jazz collections.

 

Recorded on March 7, 1963 at the Van Gelder Studio in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. The album was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2013.

 

 

Side A

1. They Say It's Wonderful

2. Dedicated To You

3. My One And Only Love

 

Side B

1. Lush Life

2. You Are Too Beautiful

3. Autumn Serenade