Final answer:
John Coltrane's "Chasin the Trane" divided his audience due to its departure from traditional jazz, embracing intense modal improvisation that characterized the avant-garde 'free jazz' movement.
Step-by-step explanation:
John Coltrane's recording of "Chasin the Trane" caused division among his audience due to its radical departure from traditional jazz structures. Coltrane's use of intense modal improvisation and extended solos represented a significant shift towards what would be called "free jazz." This approach contrasted sharply with the more melodic and structured forms of jazz that audiences were accustomed to, and thus, the reaction to "Chasin the Trane" was polarizing, with some listeners embracing the innovation and others feeling alienated by the perceived discordance and lack of familiar rhythms and harmonies.