"Naima" ( ) is a

jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a major ...

ballad A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads derive from the medieval French ''chanson balladée'' or ''ballade'', which were originally "dance songs". Ballads were particularly characteristic of the popular poetry and ...

composed by John Coltrane in 1959 that he named after his then-wife, Juanita Naima Grubbs. Coltrane first recorded it for his 1959 album ''

Giant Steps ''Giant Steps'' is the fifth studio album by jazz musician John Coltrane as leader. It was released in February 1960 on Atlantic Records. This was his first album as leader for Atlantic Records, with which he had signed a new contract the previou ...

'', and it became one of his first well-known works.

History

Coltrane recorded "Naima" many times. It appears on '' The Complete Copenhagen Concert'' (1961), ''

Live at the Village Vanguard Again! ''Live At The Village Vanguard Again!'' is a live jazz album by saxophonist John Coltrane. Recorded in May 1966 during a live performance at the Village Vanguard jazz club in New York City, the album features Coltrane playing in the free jazz sty ...

'' (1966), ''

Afro Blue Impressions '' Afro Blue Impressions'' is an album of a performance by jazz musician John Coltrane that was recorded live in 1963. The album was originally released many years later, in 1977, on the Pablo label, as a double LP. Reception The AllMusic review ...

'' (1977), ''

The Complete 1961 Village Vanguard Recordings ''The Complete 1961 Village Vanguard Recordings'' is a box set of recordings by jazz musician John Coltrane, issued posthumously in 1997 by Impulse! Records, catalogue IMPD4-232. It collects all existing recordings from performances by the John C ...

'' (1997), and '' Blue World'' (2019). "Naima" has since become a

jazz standard Jazz standards are musical compositions that are an important part of the musical repertoire of jazz musicians, in that they are widely known, performed, and recorded by jazz musicians, and widely known by listeners. There is no definitive lis ...

Structure

According to Coltrane, "The tune is built on suspended chords over an E pedal tone on the outside. On the inside – the channel – the chords are suspended over a B pedal tone." The composition, on that recording, is a slow, restrained melody, with a brief piano solo by

Wynton Kelly Wynton Charles Kelly (December 2, 1931 – April 12, 1971) was an American jazz pianist and composer. He is known for his lively, blues-based playing and as one of the finest accompanists in jazz. He began playing professionally at the age of ...

Chord changes

Chord changes for "Naima": ‖: B–7/E‖ E–7 ‖ Amaj7+5/E Gmaj7+5/E ‖ Amaj7/E:‖ ‖ Bmaj7/B‖ B79 ‖ Bmaj7/B ‖ B79‖ ‖ B-maj7/B‖ Bmaj7/B ‖ Amaj7/B ‖ Emaj711‖ ‖ B–7/E‖ E–7 ‖ Amaj7+5/E Gmaj7+5/E ‖ Amaj7/E‖ Scale associations: ‖: E

Mixolydian Mixolydian mode may refer to one of three things: the name applied to one of the ancient Greek ''harmoniai'' or ''tonoi'', based on a particular octave species or scale; one of the medieval church modes; or a modern musical mode or diatonic scal ...

, E Dorian , F Mel. Minor, E Mel. Minor , A Lydian :‖ ‖ B Phrygian , B Dim. Scale (H-W) , B Phrygian , B Dim. Scale , ‖ B Alt. (B Mel. Minor) , B Phrygian , B Mixolydian , E Lydian ‖ ‖ E Mixolydian , E Dorian , F Mel. Minor, E Mel. Minor , A Lydian ‖

Other versions

Les Double Six Les Double Six (also known as the Double Six of Paris) was a French vocal jazz group established in 1959 by Mimi Perrin. The group established an international reputation in the early 1960s. The name of the group was an allusion to the fact that the ...

– ''The Double Six of Paris: Swingin' Singin'' (1962) *

John Handy John Richard Handy III (born February 3, 1933) is an American jazz musician most commonly associated with the alto saxophone. He also sings and plays the tenor and baritone saxophone, saxello, clarinet, and oboe. Biography Handy was born in ...

– '' New View'' (1967) *

Carsten Meinert Karsten or Carsten is a both a given name and a surname. It is believed to be either derived from a Low German form of Christian (given name), Christian, or "man from karst". Notable persons with the name include: Given name ;Carsten: * Carsten C ...

– ''To You'' (1968) * Archie Shepp – ''

Four for Trane ''Four for Trane'' is a studio album by tenor saxophonist Archie Shepp released on Impulse! Records in 1965. Four of the five tracks were composed and originally recorded by John Coltrane (released on his albums ''Giant Steps'' and ''Coltrane Play ...

'' (1964) * Tom Scott – ''

The Honeysuckle Breeze ''The Honeysuckle Breeze'' is the debut album by American jazz saxophonist Tom Scott featuring performances recorded in 1967 for the Impulse! label.

'' (1968) * McCoy Tyner – ''

Echoes of a Friend ''Echoes of a Friend'' is a 1972 album by jazz pianist McCoy Tyner released on the JVC label, and later on the Milestone label. It was recorded in Tokyo, Japan, on November 11, 1972, and features Tyner in a solo piano tribute to John Coltrane. ...

'' (1972), '' The Greeting'' (1978), ''

Things Ain't What They Used to Be "Things Ain't What They Used to Be" is a 1942 jazz standard with music by Mercer Ellington and lyrics by Ted Persons. Background In 1941 there was a strike against the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, of which Duke Ellington ...

'' (1989), and other albums. *

Cedar Walton Cedar Anthony Walton Jr. (January 17, 1934 – August 19, 2013) was an American hard bop jazz pianist. He came to prominence as a member of drummer Art Blakey's band, The Jazz Messengers, before establishing a long career as a bandleader and com ...

– ''Naima'' (live) (1973) * Jack Wilkins – ''Windows'' (1973) *

John McLaughlin John or Jon McLaughlin may refer to: Arts and entertainment * John McLaughlin (musician) (born 1942), English jazz fusion guitarist, member of Mahavishnu Orchestra * Jon McLaughlin (musician) (born 1982), American singer-songwriter * John McLaugh ...

– ''

Love Devotion Surrender ''Love Devotion Surrender'' is an album released in 1973 by guitarists Carlos Santana and John McLaughlin (musician), John McLaughlin, with the backing of their respective bands, Santana (band), Santana and The Mahavishnu Orchestra. The album was ...

'' (with

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, 1973), and '' After the Rain'' (1995) * Lonnie Liston Smith – ''

Cosmic Funk ''Cosmic Funk'' is an album by keyboardist Lonnie Liston Smith, featuring performances recorded in 1974 and released by the Flying Dutchman label. Jason Heller, in ''Strange Stars: How Science Fiction and Fantasy Transformed Popular Music'', poin ...

'' (Flying Dutchman) (1974) *

Arthur Blythe Arthur Murray Blythe (May 7, 1940 – March 27, 2017) was an American jazz alto saxophonist and composer. He was described by critic Chris Kelsey as displaying "one of the most easily recognizable alto sax sounds in jazz, big and round, with a f ...

– '' In the Tradition'' (1979) and '' Blythe Byte'' (2001) *

Maynard Ferguson Walter Maynard Ferguson CM (May 4, 1928 – August 23, 2006) was a Canadian jazz trumpeter and bandleader. He came to prominence in Stan Kenton's orchestra before forming his own big band in 1957. He was noted for his bands, which often served ...

– ''Hot'' (1979) *

David Grisman David Grisman (born March 23, 1945) is an American mandolinist. His music combines bluegrass, folk, and jazz in a genre he calls "Dawg music". He founded the record label Acoustic Disc, which issues his recordings and those of other acoustic mu ...

– ''

Quintet '80 ''Quintet '80'' is an album by American musician David Grisman, released in 1980. Track listing # Dawgma # Bow Wow # Barkley's Bug # Sea Of Cortez # Naima (John Coltrane) # Mugavero (John Carlini) # Dawgmatism # Thailand Personnel * ...

'' (1980) * Massimo Urbani – ''Dedications to A.A. & J.C. – Max's Mood'' (1980) *

Pharoah Sanders Pharoah Sanders (born Ferrell Lee Sanders; October 13, 1940 – September 24, 2022) was an American jazz saxophonist. Known for his overblowing, harmonic, and multiphonic techniques on the saxophone, as well as his use of "sheets of sound", San ...

– ''

Heart Is a Melody ''Heart is a Melody'' is a live album led by saxophonist Pharoah Sanders recorded in 1982 and released on the Theresa label.

'' (1983) *

Skywalk A skyway, skybridge, skywalk, or sky walkway is an elevated type of pedway connecting two or more buildings in an urban area, or connecting elevated points within mountainous recreational zones. Urban skyways very often take the form of enclos ...

– ''Silent Witness'' (1983) * David Liebman and Richie Beirach – ''Double Edge'' (1985) * Steve Grossman – ''Love Is the Thing'' (1985) * McCoy Tyner – '' Blues for Coltrane: A Tribute to John Coltrane'' (1987) *

– ''

Africa Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent, after Asia in both cases. At about 30.3 million km2 (11.7 million square miles) including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of Earth's total surface area ...

'' (1987) * Jamaaladeen Tacuma – '' Jukebox'' (1988) * Art Ensemble of Chicago – '' Dreaming of the Masters Suite'' (1991) *

– ''Crescent with Love'' (1992) * Joey DeFrancesco – ''Reboppin'' (1992) *

Lonnie Smith Lonnie Smith may refer to: * Lonnie Smith (baseball) (born 1955), American baseball player * Lonnie Smith (boxer) (born 1962), American boxer * Lonnie Smith (organist) (1942–2021), American organist * Lonnie Liston Smith (born 1940), American jaz ...

– ''Afro Blue'' (1993) *

Norman Connors Norman Connors (born March 1, 1947) is an American jazz drummer, composer, arranger, and producer who has led a number of influential jazz and R&B groups. He also achieved several big R&B hits of the day, especially with love ballads. He is pos ...

– ''Remember Who You Are'' (MoJazz) (1993) * David Murray – '' Windward Passages'' (with

Dave Burrell Herman Davis "Dave" Burrell (born September 10, 1940) is an American jazz pianist. He has played with many jazz musicians including Archie Shepp, Pharoah Sanders, Marion Brown and David Murray. Biography Born in Middletown, Ohio, United Sta ...

, 1993) and ''

Octet Plays Trane ''Octet Plays Trane'' is an album by the David Murray Octet, released in 2000 on Justin Time. The musicians include Murray, Rasul Siddik, Hugh Ragin, Craig Harris, James Spaulding, Ravi Best, D. D. Jackson, Mark Johnson and Jaribu Shahid. The ...

'' (2000) * James Carter – ''

Conversin' with the Elders ''Conversin' with the Elders'' is the fourth album by saxophonist James Carter recorded in late 1995 and early 1996 and released on the Atlantic label.

'' (with Hamiet Bluiett, 1996) * Thom Rotella – ''Platinum Melodies'' (1996) * Derek Trucks Band – '' The Derek Trucks Band'' (1997) * Victor Wooten – '' What Did He Say?'' (1997) * Sonny & Perley, ''East of the Sun'' (2000) *

4hero 4hero are an electronic music group from Dollis Hill, London, comprising producers Mark "Marc Mac" Clair & Denis "Dego" McFarlane. While the band is often cited as ''4 Hero'' or ''4-Hero'', the name is stylised as ''4hero'' on their albums and ...

– 2000 compilation ''The Good Good'' (2000) *

Alex Bugnon Alex Bugnon (born October 10, 1958) is a jazz pianist and composer from Montreux, Switzerland. He is a nephew of Donald Byrd. Bugnon studied at the Paris Conservatory and the Mozart Academy in Salzburg. At age nineteen, he moved to the U.S. and ...

– ''As Promised'' (2000) *

Karrin Allyson Karrin Allyson (pronounced ''KAR-in''; born Karrin Allyson Schoonover on July 27, 1963) is an American jazz vocalist. She has been nominated for five Grammy Awards and has received positive reviews from several prominent sources, including the ' ...

– ''Ballads: Remembering John Coltrane'' (2001) *

Herbie Hancock Herbert Jeffrey Hancock (born April 12, 1940) is an American jazz pianist, keyboardist, bandleader, and composer. Hancock started his career with trumpeter Donald Byrd's group. He shortly thereafter joined the Miles Davis Quintet, where he help ...

, Michael Brecker, and

Roy Hargrove Roy Anthony Hargrove (October 16, 1969 – November 2, 2018) was an American jazz musician and composer whose principal instruments were the trumpet and flugelhorn. He achieved worldwide acclaim after winning two Grammy Awards for differing styles ...

– '' Directions in Music: Live at Massey Hall'' (2002) * Vato Negro live quartet of

Juan Alderete Juan Alderete de la Peña (born September 5, 1963) is an American musician, best known as the longtime bassist of Racer X, the Mars Volta and Marilyn Manson. Biography Alderete was born in Los Angeles, California the fourth of five children. ...

, Adrian Terrazas, Money Mark, and Cedric Bixler (2008) *

Lionel Loueke Lionel Loueke (born 27 April 1973) is a guitarist and vocalist born in Benin. He moved to Ivory Coast in 1990 to study at the National Institute of Art. Biography Loueke grew up in what he has described as a family of poor intellectuals in the W ...

– ''Karibu'' (2008) * Kindred Spirits Ensemble – ''Love Is Supreme'' (2009) *

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– ''Passing Thru'' (2010) * Royce Campbell – ''Solo Trane'' (2010) * Jaco Pastorius – in the video '' Modern Electric Bass'' * George Benson – '' Guitar Man'' (2011) * Scott Fields and Jeffrey Lependorf – ''everything is in the instructions'' (2013) *

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– ''Ballads'' (2017) * Jesse Fischer – ''Flipped II'' (2018) *

Chrissie Hynde Christine Ellen Hynde (born September 7, 1951) is an American musician. She is a founding member and the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter of the rock band the Pretenders, and one of the band's two remaining original members alon ...

with the Valve Bone Woe Ensemble – '' Valve Bone Woe'' (2019)

Cultural references

* "Naima" is featured in a scene in the 2013 Polish movie ''

Ida Ida or IDA may refer to: Astronomy * Ida Facula, a mountain on Amalthea, a moon of Jupiter *243 Ida, an asteroid *International Docking Adapter, a docking adapter for the International Space Station Computing *Intel Dynamic Acceleration, a techn ...

'', in which the title character is intrigued by the jazz and its player. *

Kamau Brathwaite The Honourable Edward Kamau Brathwaite, CHB (; 11 May 1930 – 4 February 2020), was a Barbadian poet and academic, widely considered one of the major voices in the Caribbean literary canon.Staff (2011)"Kamau Brathwaite." New York University, D ...

's poem "Naima for John Coltrane" was included in the Poems on the Underground project.

References

{{Authority control 1959 compositions 1950s jazz standards Compositions by John Coltrane 1950s ballads Jazz compositions in B-flat minor