Trumpeter Dewey Johnson had played with Marion Brown and repeatedly sat in with Coltrane's group before being asked to participate in the recording of Ascension. Saxophonist Pharoah Sanders had performed with Sun Ra, whose music Coltrane admired, and had also played and practiced yogic breathing exercises with Marion Brown.
Dewey Johnson, a trumpeter who frequently played with both Marion Brown and Coltrane's group, was invited to participate in the recording of Ascension. Pharoah Sanders, a saxophonist known for his work with Sun Ra and his practice of yogic breathing exercises alongside Marion Brown, also contributed to the project.