John William Coltrane, a modern jazz saxophonist and composer, was born in Hamlet, the son of Alice Blair and John W. Coltrane, Sr. By the time of his death, he had achieved international eminence as one of the most talented and creative figures in the history of jazz. In 1955, Coltrane joined the Miles Davis Quintet, which became the outstanding jazz group of its day. With Davis's group, he first attracted public and critical attention for his distinctive style of saxophone jazz. Although influenced by many forms, his music was unique in its development and exploration of sixteenth notes as a rhythmic base for jazz. His superb technical skill on the saxophone enabled him to experiment freely with the broadest improvisation in avant-garde jazz, making him a central figure in the field.