0
0
Sonny Rollins is one of the most influential and respected jazz musicians of all time. His virtuosic and expressive tenor saxophone playing, his adventurous and original compositions, and his long and prolific career have earned him the nickname “The Saxophone Colossus”. In this blog post, we will explore some of the highlights of his life and music, from his origins to his achievements.
Origins
Sonny Rollins was born on September 7, 1930, in New York City, to parents from the Virgin Islands. He grew up in Harlem, where he was exposed to jazz music from an early age. He received his first saxophone at the age of nine, and soon began to play in local bands and clubs. He attended Benjamin Franklin High School, where he met and befriended other future jazz stars, such as Jackie McLean, Kenny Drew, and Art Taylor.
Rollins was influenced by a variety of jazz styles and musicians, especially Coleman Hawkins, his early idol, and Charlie Parker, the leading figure of bebop. He also admired and learned from Thelonious Monk and Bud Powell, two of the most innovative and creative pianists and composers in jazz history.
Breakthrough
Rollins made his first recordings as a sideman in 1949, with the bebop singer Babs Gonzales and the trombonist J.J. Johnson. He soon established himself as a rising star in the jazz scene, recording and performing with some of the most prominent names in the genre, such as Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Max Roach, Clifford Brown, and Art Blakey.
In 1954, he recorded his first album as a leader, Sonny Rollins with the Modern Jazz Quartet, which featured his original compositions “Oleo”, “Airegin”, and “Doxy”. These tunes became jazz standards and showcased his ability to write catchy and sophisticated melodies and harmonies. He also recorded his second album, Sonny Rollins, Vol. 2, which included his famous rendition of the calypso tune “St. Thomas”, another jazz classic.
Masterpiece
In 1956, Rollins recorded what is widely considered his masterpiece: Saxophone Colossus. The album featured four of his own compositions and one standard and displayed his mastery of the saxophone, his creativity and spontaneity as an improviser, and his musical personality and vision as a leader. The album was a critical and commercial success and cemented his reputation as one of the greatest jazz musicians of his generation.
Saxophone Colossus was followed by a series of other acclaimed albums in the late 1950s and early 1960s, such as Way Out West, The Bridge, and Our Man in Jazz. These albums demonstrated his versatility and experimentation, as he explored different musical contexts, formats, and genres, such as western, classical, and avant-garde.
Hiatus and Return
In 1959, Rollins shocked the jazz world by announcing that he would take a break from the music industry, feeling dissatisfied with his own playing and seeking to improve his skills and knowledge. He spent the next two years practicing alone, often on the Williamsburg Bridge in New York, and studying Eastern philosophy and spirituality.
He returned to the scene in 1962, with a new sound and approach, and a renewed confidence and enthusiasm. He formed a new quartet, featuring the guitarist Jim Hall, and recorded the album The Bridge, which marked his comeback and his transition to a more modern and mature style. He also recorded several live albums, such as A Night at the Village Vanguard and Sonny Rollins in Japan, which captured his energy and charisma as a performer.
Legacy
Sonny Rollins is widely regarded as one of the most influential and important jazz musicians of all time. He has influenced a diverse range of artists, such as John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter, Branford Marsalis, and Joshua Redman. He has also received numerous honors and awards, such as the National Medal of Arts, the Polar Music Prize, the Kennedy Center Honors, and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
In 2012, Rollins announced that he would stop performing and recording, due to health issues and personal reasons. He has since devoted himself to teaching and mentoring young musicians, and to sharing his wisdom and experience with the world. He is a true legend of jazz and music, and a source of inspiration for many.
