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Sonny Rollins
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Sonny Rollins (Theodore Walter Rollins, New York City, September 7, 1930) is an American jazz tenor saxophonist.
Rollins’ long, prolific career began at the age of 11, and he was playing with piano legend Thelonious Monk before reaching the age of 20. Rollins is still touring and recording today, having outlived most of his contemporaries such as John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Max Roach, and Art Blakey, all performers with whom he recorded.
While Rollins was born in New York City, his parents were born in the United States Virgin Islands. Rollins received his first saxophone at age 13.
Rollins started as a pianist, changed to alto saxophone, and finally switched to tenor in 1946. During his high-school years, he played in a band with other future jazz legends Jackie McLean and Kenny Drew. He was first recorded in 1949 with Babs Gonzales – in the same year he recorded with J. J. Johnson and Bud Powell. In his recordings through 1954, he played with performers such as Miles Davis, Charlie Parker and Thelonious Monk.
In 1950, Rollins was arrested for armed robbery and given a sentence of three years. He spent 10 months in Rikers Island jail before he was released on parole. In 1952 he was arrested for violating the terms of his parole by using heroin. Rollins was assigned to what was then the only assistance in the U.S. for drug addicts: “Narco”, “The Farm”, aka Federal Medical Center, Lexington. While there he was a volunteer for then-experimental Methadone therapy and was able to “kick” – endure an opiate withdrawal. Rollins himself initially feared sobriety would impair his musicianship, but then went on to greater success.
Rollins’ long, prolific career began at the age of 11, and he was playing with piano legend Thelonious Monk before reaching the age of 20. Rollins is still touring and recording today, having outlived most of his contemporaries such as John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Max Roach, and Art Blakey, all performers with whom he recorded.
While Rollins was born in New York City, his parents were born in the United States Virgin Islands. Rollins received his first saxophone at age 13.
Rollins started as a pianist, changed to alto saxophone, and finally switched to tenor in 1946. During his high-school years, he played in a band with other future jazz legends Jackie McLean and Kenny Drew. He was first recorded in 1949 with Babs Gonzales – in the same year he recorded with J. J. Johnson and Bud Powell. In his recordings through 1954, he played with performers such as Miles Davis, Charlie Parker and Thelonious Monk.
In 1950, Rollins was arrested for armed robbery and given a sentence of three years. He spent 10 months in Rikers Island jail before he was released on parole. In 1952 he was arrested for violating the terms of his parole by using heroin. Rollins was assigned to what was then the only assistance in the U.S. for drug addicts: “Narco”, “The Farm”, aka Federal Medical Center, Lexington. While there he was a volunteer for then-experimental Methadone therapy and was able to “kick” – endure an opiate withdrawal. Rollins himself initially feared sobriety would impair his musicianship, but then went on to greater success.
Top Albums
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Saxophone Colossus
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The Bridge
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The Complete RCA Victor Recordings
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St. Thomas
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Strode Rode
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You Don't Know What Love Is
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Moritat
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God Bless The Child
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You Do Something To Me
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Without A Song
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The Bridge
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In A Sentimental Mood
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Where Are You
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I'm An Old Cowhand
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Valse Hot
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All the Things You Are
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Shoutbox
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Pulven wrote:
staytooned: Would that not be your left ear?
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zzzjuliazzz wrote:
looove him;)
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joeman342 wrote:
If anyone can somehow find a recording of him playing "It Don't Mean A Thing" in Stockholm, in 1959. I would be much obliged. I saw the video on youtube a year ago but it was taken down unfortunately.
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staytooned wrote:
Jungoso.....damn its been a minute since i heard those drums patting in my right ear.
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marmur7 wrote:
still has the same beauty his music had 50 years ago just before his brooklyn bridge days.
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jacek1989 wrote:
96... even nicer ;) i wish i would live that long in such a great condition :)
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axss wrote:
jacek - check out pinetop perkins, a blues pianoist. he wil be 100 soon, still playing gigs ;]
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frodefx wrote:
Gotta love that Sax!
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jacek1989 wrote:
He's 79 and still giving concerts... nice
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edgewaterluv wrote:
His Jazz music lifts my spirits :)
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satellit wrote:
He's coming to Stockholm Jazz Festival. Sweet.
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MirkoFait wrote:
I like his music :)
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ainsomni wrote:
I love sonny, he's one of my Tenor heroes
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MirkoFait wrote:
I listened him at Teatro Orfeo - Milano... many years ago. What a energy. great!!! ;)
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rakshasa07 wrote:
Join the group Sonny Rollins
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SarahFuhrjizzle wrote:
Had the pleasure of seeing Sonny in concert! Among some of the best music to paint to!
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monkdizbird wrote:
he is the newk
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onitorment wrote:
http://www.last.fm/group/Proud+To+Be+Brief Join, please. Thanku
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doceasubio wrote:
Rolling sonic
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DC2600 wrote:
So little listeners for such brilliance.
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Sonny Rollins
Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles CA, United States
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