Help me understand John Coltrane .... seriously.

When it comes to the instruments of wind, I found out that masters at Guča Festival play no second fiddle to those we mention here.

Unless you truly dread it for non-musical reasons, which you will not after about an hour of following the festival routine, you will never have to convince yourself why you like it. It is exactly the opposite from the mystery of the dim room loneliness with a glass of an expensive drink in hand.

"Progressives use a lot of atonality, which can sound like they're playing the wrong notes, and they also don't strictly observe things like rhythm and meter."

Hmmmm, that explains it.

I think they are aware of the rhythm and meter but they are allowing themselves to not adhere to traditional rules regarding rhythm and meter.
I can't tell you how many times I've been listening to a jazz group that I was sure was totally lost regarding the form, only to have them suddenly come back together and prove me wrong.

"...I've been listening to a jazz group that I was sure was totally lost regarding the form, only to have them suddenly come back together and prove me wrong."

Are you right about being wrong, or they just could not keep it up all the time and found their form from time to time?

One has to work his way up to Coltrane. Start with maybe Charlie Parker, and once Coltrane had been assimilated, give Ornette Coleman a listen. Wild, baby!