Sonny Rollins

thumb|Rollins in 2011 Sonny Rollins Walter Theodore "Sonny" Rollins (September 7, 1930 – May 25, 2026) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist often considered one of the most significant jazz musicians. In a performing career lasting over 60 years, Rollins participated in several hundred recording sessions from 1949 to 2012. Several of his compositions, including "St. Thomas", "Oleo", "Doxy", and "Airegin", have become jazz standards. Quotes about Sonny Rollins With his instantly recognizable biting and clear tone, tenor player Sonny Rollins, who turns 83 in September, is regarded by some as the greatest living saxophonist today. Inspired by Lester Young and Coleman Hawkins, Rollins had an ability to rarely repeat himself when improvising, even during lengthy solos. He was just in his mid-twenties when Saxophone Colossus was released, and the title of the disc was more than fitting. Rollins was already a titan of the tenor evidenced by cuts like "St. Thomas," one of his most well known compositions. Jon Solomon of Westword (August 7, 2013) External links Category:1930 births Category:2026 deaths Category:Musicians from the United States Category:Jazz musicians Category:Saxophonists Category:African Americans Category:People from New York City