Dennis Sandole
Dennis Sandole born Dionigi Sandoli, was an American jazz guitarist, composer, and music educator from Philadelphia.
He was John Coltrane's mentor from 1946 until the early 1950s, introducing him to music theory beyond chords and scales and exposing him to the music of other cultures. Sandole taught advanced harmonic techniques that were applicable to any instrument, using exotic scales and creating his own. He taught privately until the end of his life. His students included saxophonists James Moody, Michael Brecker, Rob Brown, and Bobby Zankel; pianists Matthew Shipp and Sumi Tonooka; guitarists Jim Hall, Joe Diorio, Pat Martino, Joe Federico, Tony DeCaprio, Jon Herington, Bob DeVos, Larry Hoffman, and Harry Leahey and other musicians such as Rufus Harley and Frank Gerrard.
Sandole recorded Modern Music from Philadelphia, with his brother, Adolph Sandole, which was released by Fantasy Records in 1956.
He died on September 30, 2000 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and was interred at West Laurel Hill Cemetery.
