Sonny Rollins
Tenor Sax
94 age
September 7, 1930 Birthday
New York, New York, U.S. Birthplace
sonnyrollins.com Website
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About
Sonny Rollins is an American jazz saxophonist and composer and widely regarded as one of the genre's finest improvisors. Over his 7-decade long career Rollins has played with many of jazz's greats including Miles Davis, Coleman Hawkins, Max Roach and Thelonius Monk. He made over 60 recordings as leader and pioneered the piano-less trio on albums such as "Way Out West" and "A Night at the Village Vanguard." Rollins has been awarded numerous honors, most notably a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, the Edward MacDowell Medal and the Medal of Arts from President Barack Obama. Rollins was forced to stop playing the saxophone in 2014 due to respiratory issues.
Trivia
Sonny Rollins was given the nickname "Newk" because he resembled Dodgers pitcher Don Newcombe. Rollins often practiced on the Williamsburg Bridge and titled his 1961 album "The Bridge." During his long career Rollins took several sabbaticals to focus on music, health, and spirituality, including spending time in an Indian monastery.
Early Life
Sonny Rollins was born Theodore Walter Rollins in 1930 in New York. He grew up in Harlem, the epicenter for jazz, not far from the Savoy Ballroom and the Cotton Club. After begging his mother for a saxophone Rollins received his first alto at age 7 and switched to playing the tenor in high school. After graduating Rollins immediately began working professionally making recordings with bebop singer Babs Gonzales and Bud Powell.
Sonny Rollins Solos
1962
Tenor Sax solo - Without A Song - 1962
4/4 swing in E♭ major at 222 BPM
Tenor Sax solo - John S. - 1962
4/4 swing in F major at 277 BPM
Tenor Sax solo - The Bridge - 1962
4/4 swing in B♭ major at 323 BPM
Tenor Sax solo - God Bless The Child - 1962
4/4 ballad in A major at 52 BPM
Tenor Sax solo - You Do Something to Me - 1962
4/4 swing in C major at 154 BPM
1957
Tenor Sax solo - On The Sunny Side Of The Street - 1957
4/4 swing in C major at 121 BPM
Tenor Sax solo - The Eternal Triangle - 1957
4/4 swing in B♭ major at 282 BPM
Tenor Sax solo - After Hours - 1957
12/8 swing in G major at 67 BPM
Tenor Sax solo - I Know That You Know - 1957
4/4 swing in E♭ major at 305 BPM
Tenor Sax solo - I'm An Old Cowhand - 1957
4/4 swing in E♭ major at 165 BPM
Tenor Sax solo - Solitude - 1957
4/4 ballad in G♭ major at 75 BPM
Tenor Sax solo - Come, Gone - 1957
4/4 swing in B♭ major at 211 BPM
Tenor Sax solo - Come, Gone - 1957
4/4 swing in B♭ major at 227 BPM
Tenor Sax solo - Wagon Wheels - 1957
4/4 swing in E♭ major at 125 BPM
Tenor Sax solo - There Is No Greater Love - 1957
4/4 swing in E♭ major at 86 BPM
Tenor Sax solo - Way Out West - 1957
4/4 swing in F major at 143 BPM
1956
Tenor Sax solo - St. Thomas - 1956
4/4 latin in C major at 210 BPM
Tenor Sax solo - St. Thomas - 1956
4/4 latin in C major at 228 BPM
Tenor Sax solo - You Don't Know What Love Is - 1956
4/4 ballad in E♭ minor at 75 BPM
Tenor Sax solo - Strode Rode - 1956
4/4 swing in F minor at 248 BPM
Tenor Sax solo - Mac The Knife - 1956
4/4 swing in B♭ major at 170 BPM
Tenor Sax solo - Blue 7 - 1956
4/4 swing in B♭ major at 134 BPM
Tenor Sax solo - Tenor Madness - 1956
4/4 swing in B♭ major at 175 BPM
Tenor Sax solo - When Your Lover Has Gone - 1956
4/4 swing in E♭ major at 109 BPM
Tenor Sax solo - Paul's Pal - 1956
4/4 swing in G major at 155 BPM
Tenor Sax solo - My Reverie - 1956
4/4 swing in C major at 95 BPM
Tenor Sax solo - The Most Beautiful Girl in the World - 1956
4/4 swing in A♭ major at 231 BPM
Tenor Sax solo - The Most Beautiful Girl in the World - 1956
4/4 swing in A♭ major at 232 BPM
Tenor Sax solo - Valse Hot - 1956
3/4 waltz in A♭ major at 137 BPM
Tenor Sax solo - Kiss And Run - 1956
4/4 swing in B♭ major at 266 BPM
Tenor Sax solo - I Feel A Song Coming On - 1956
4/4 swing in E♭ major at 331 BPM
Tenor Sax solo - Count Your Blessings (Instead of Sheep) - 1956
4/4 swing in F major at 105 BPM
Tenor Sax solo - Pent-Up House - 1956
4/4 swing in G major at 188 BPM