Super exciting. For people who haven't heard Coltrane, I would highly recommend "Ballads" and "John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman" as a very very lovely and gent

Super exciting. For people who haven't heard Coltrane, I would highly recommend "Ballads" and "John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman" as a very very lovely and gentle intro. I have successfully got people who don't even like jazz into Coltrane with those. "Ballads" was done sort of as a riposte to critics who said that he was basically a stunt sax player who could only play fast and crazy and it comprises some of the most beautiful playing of ballads from the standard repertoire you'll ever hear. And the album with Johnny Hartman shows how to play with a singer. The versions of "My One and Only Love" and "Lush Life" on that recording will always be definitive but it's all fantastic. You could also add "Duke Ellington and John Coltrane" to the same category. It's amazing to hear them together but it's more of a thing for people who already like jazz. The version of "In a sentimental mood" from that recording is an all-time great. Then for the golden period obviously "A Love Supreme" is the one everyone talks about and rightly so because it is a masterpiece, but I would recommend "Crescent". Just an incredible recording which has everything. When I got it I was a student and people in my place of residence thought I had lost my marbles because I literally played the entire recording from start to finish 8 times in a row. It remains my favourite album of all time. Then I would recommend the album called "Coltrane" and "Coltrane plays the blues" both great, but honestly anything from that period is wonderful. From there the world is your oyster - I some of the more bonkers stuff (eg the stuff with Dolphy) but if you like crazy, high energy improvisation, the one that jazzers often talk about and shake their heads with awe is "Amen" from "Sun Ship", seriously nuts. Postscript to add: I joined a big band when their bassist was fired and had just one rehearsal before a gig at a festival. All the music was really difficult and I was sightreading. Our slot was late so I went to the main gig which was an absolutely mindblowing solo piano gig by McCoy Tyner (Famous for being the pianist on most of the recordings I mentioned above with Coltrane). I figured noone would be at our gig after McCoy but not only was the entire place completely packed out but McCoy was sitting at the very front at a table about 3 or 4 meters from me. He spoke to us in the break and was really nice and encouraging.