That is a good question. What are the secrets?
Reggie Workman was a bassist who recorded with John Coltrane. He is on the "Ole" album on the Impulse label. I used to own the record but sold it years ago. Rumor has it that Reggie asked John what should I play? John told him he couldn't tell him because he said he could barely play the saxophone himself. In any case that was the first and last time I know of Reggie recording with Coltrane.
What are the secrets? Some cats got it and some cats ain't. LOL