Sonny Rollins, Saxophone Titan, Passes Away at 95
The jazz world mourns the loss of Sonny Rollins, the saxophone colossus, who passed away at 95. A true innovator, Rollins left an indelible mark on music.
Jazz giant and saxophonist Sonny Rollins has died at his home in Woodstock, New York, according to a statement by his publicist, Terri Hinte. He was 95.
Born and raised in Harlem, Rollins was deeply influenced by the music of Louis Armstrong, Charlie Parker, and Fats Waller. Initially playing alto sax, he switched to tenor at 16. His early career saw him recording with luminaries like Bud Powell and J.J. Johnson, and later collaborating with Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk. Davis famously called Rollins a “legend” in his autobiography. In 1956, Rollins stepped into the spotlight as a bandleader, releasing a string of iconic albums including Saxophone Colossus, A Night at the Village Vanguard, Tenor Madness, and Newk’s Time.
Rollins' playing style evolved throughout his career, traversing bebop, avant-garde jazz, calypso, and jazz-rock fusion. Regardless of genre, Rollins consistently emphasized rhythm, viewing it as a source of endless possibilities.
Rollins took brief hiatuses in 1959 and 1966 but remained active, releasing his most recent studio album, Sonny, Please, in 2006. He received the National Medal of Arts in 2010 and was a Kennedy Center Honoree in 2011. A live recording, Road Shows, Vol. 4: Holding the Stage, was released in 2016.
Respiratory issues slowed Rollins' live performances in his later years. His final concert was in 2012, shortly after performances at events like the Detroit Jazz Festival. He stopped playing the saxophone altogether two years later.
In a 2016 interview with Pitchfork, Rollins spoke about his yoga practice, which he had pursued since the 1950s. He also discussed focusing on inner wisdom.
"The world is over in a minute and we’re here just for a second,” he told Pitchfork. “We need to use this time to find out something. We’re all on our different journeys. And of course it’s difficult. But it’s the way it’s supposed to be. I believe in karma too. Karma is what we’re supposed to be doing—to unravel our karma. See, whatever I did that was bad in this life or another life, I have to get rid of that. And here I am.”
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