Bman's Blues Report

Sonny Rollins Born: Harlen NY September 7, 1930 Genre Style: Modern Jazz Sonny Rollins (1930–2026) was an American tenor saxophonist widely celebrated as one of the most commanding and influential improvisers in jazz history. After rising to prominence in the 1950s alongside legends like Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk, he defined the hard bop era with his landmark 1956 album Saxophone Colossus and popularized calypso jazz with his signature composition "St. Thomas." Known for his relentless perfectionism, Rollins famously stepped away from his thriving career in 1959 to practice alone for hours a day on New York's Williamsburg Bridge , a testament to the dedication that fueled his powerful tone and innovative, thematic style. Over a career spanning seven decades, he earned the National Medal of Arts and a Kennedy Center Honor before retiring from public performance in 2012 and passing away in May 2026 at the age of 95. 💿 Sonny Rollins Disco...

Sonny Rollins - Saxophone Colossus coming to Blu-ray, DVD, and digital formats on August 4th "Brilliantly captures one of the great saxophonists in jazz - and probably its most revered living improviser - during one of his most intensely creative periods. Startling performances.  His music is always revealing; so is this loving tribute."  - Washington Post "Revelatory and engrossing. A superb musical profile."  - Boston Globe "Widely hailed upon its release as essential viewing, not just for fans of jazz but for anyone even remotely interested in the creative process. [A] remarkable film."  - Jazz Times "An electrifying record of an artist at work."  - Variety After completing his 1985 film THE RETURN OF RU...