Final answer:
John Coltrane's importance in jazz during the 1960s grew due to his innovative musical style, the resonance of his work with the social changes of the time such as the Civil Rights Movement, and the generation's search for new cultural expression.
Step-by-step explanation:
The factors that contributed to John Coltrane's increasing importance in jazz during the 1960s can be understood in the context of several cultural and societal changes. Coltrane's innovative approach to music, characterized by complex improvisations and a spiritual depth, resonated with listeners during a period of intense social transformation. The Civil Rights Movement inspired artists to capture and express their times, leading to a broader recognition and embrace of African-American culture and its creative outputs, including jazz. Furthermore, the jazz movement mirrored wider shifts in society, with musicians reflecting the aspirations and struggles of African-American communities. Coltrane's explorations within jazz helped to advance the genre and inspired a generation seeking new forms of cultural and artistic expression. His dynamic compositions and skillful improvisations made a lasting impact on both his contemporaries and the development of jazz music as an art form.