Sonny Rollins, Legendary Jazz Saxophonist, Dies at 95
Sonny Rollins, the legendary saxophonist and last surviving titan of 1950s jazz, died at 95. Known as the "greatest living improviser," he performed globally until 2012 when pulmonary fibrosis forced his retirement. His album "Saxophone Colossus" (1957), featuring the standard "St. Thomas," defined hard bop. Rollins overcame heroin addiction, took a two-year sabbatical practicing on the Williamsburg Bridge, and returned with "The Bridge" (1962). He received the National Humanities Medal from President Barack Obama in 2011. Born September 7, 1930, in New York to Virgin Islands parents, he grew up in Harlem, witnessing the bebop revolution. He played with Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, and John Coltrane. His career spanned nearly 60 years, with his last concert at Umbria Jazz in 2012.
Key facts
- Sonny Rollins died at 95.
- He was a legendary jazz saxophonist of the 1950s and 1960s.
- He was considered the greatest living improviser.
- He retired in 2012 due to pulmonary fibrosis.
- His album 'Saxophone Colossus' (1957) includes 'St. Thomas'.
- He overcame heroin addiction in the 1950s.
- He practiced on the Williamsburg Bridge for two years.
- He received the National Humanities Medal from President Barack Obama in 2011.
- He was born September 7, 1930, in New York.
- He played with Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, and John Coltrane.
- His last concert was at Umbria Jazz in 2012.
Entities
Artists
- Sonny Rollins
- John Coltrane
- Thelonious Monk
- Charlie Parker
- Dizzy Gillespie
- Miles Davis
- Jackie McLean
- Max Roach
- Clifford Brown
- Coleman Hawkins
- Ornette Coleman
- John Lewis
- Lucille Pearson
Institutions
- Prestige Records
- Impulse! Records
- Milestone Records
- Umbria Jazz
- National Humanities Medal
- Savoy Ballroom
- Apollo Theatre
- Village Vanguard
- Williamsburg Bridge
- Guardian
- Jazz Journal
Locations
- New York
- United States
- Kentucky
- Woodstock
- Harlem
- Manhattan
- Williamsburg Bridge
- Virgin Islands
- Perugia
- Italy