Only Trust Your Heart

Naima

"Naima" is a ballad composed by John Coltrane in 1959 that he named after his wife, Juanita Naima Grubbs. It first appeared on the album Giant Steps and is notable for its use of a variety of rich chords over a bass pedal. It is mainly made up of a slow, restrained melody, though there is also a brief piano solo. Coltrane recorded "Naima" many times. It appears on The Complete 1961 Village Vanguard Recordings, The Complete Copenhagen Concert, Afro-Blue Impressions, and Live at the Village Vanguard Again!. "Naima" has since become a jazz standard. more »