Central Park West is a jazz standard composed by American saxophonist John Coltrane. It was first recorded and released in 1964 on the studio album Coltrane's Sound. The tune is a ballad in B major that uses Coltrane changes - a cycle of modulations built from ascending or descending minor thirds and tritones centered on B. The six modulations follow three prototypes: up a minor third, down a minor third, and by a tritone. The mood is gentle and reflective, contrasting with Coltrane's more angular Giant Steps, even though both pieces explore similar harmonic ideas. It was recorded at Atlantic Studios during sessions for My Favorite Things and released by Atlantic Records. Central Park West has since become a jazz standard and is admired for its elegant symmetrical design and lyrical melody.
