John Coltrane was an influential American jazz saxophonist, composer, and bandleader born in 1926. After serving in the Navy during World War II, he became a central figure in the development of bebop, hard bop, and free jazz. Throughout his career, his musical style evolved to incorporate deep spiritual themes, most notably in his landmark recordings. Recognized as a major icon of 20th-century music, he was later canonized as a saint by the African Orthodox Church.