Sonny Rollins

United States

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Sound in a sentence: "Each performance pulses with rhythmic insistence, weaving intricate patterns of repetition and release that command attention while inviting reflection."

Sonny Rollins redefined jazz improvisation, emerging as a powerful voice that reshaped the narrative of post-bop. His insistence on public performance and practice sessions in unconventional spaces not only inspired fellow musicians but also invited audiences into a more intimate relationship with the creative process, making jazz feel more accessible and alive. Rollins' approach has become a touchstone for those seeking to understand the marriage of technical prowess and emotional depth in music. At the core of Rollins' artistry is his relentless pursuit of personal expression, often achieved through lengthy improvisational explorations that eschew conventional song structures. He embraces silence as much as sound, utilizing pauses to amplify emotional weight and create tension within his solos. This innovative methodology encourages listeners to engage with the music not just passively but as active participants in its unfolding. Lyrically, while primarily an instrumentalist, Rollins often conveys themes of resilience, self-discovery, and social consciousness through the strength and nuance of his melodic lines. His storytelling is impressionistic; each note serves as a brushstroke in a larger emotional landscape—a blend of sincerity and introspection that resonates with deep human experiences.

Sonny Rollins

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Discography

Albums ()

Sonny, Please

Without a Song: The 9/11 Concert

This Is What I Do

Global Warming

Sonny Rollins + 3

Old Flames

Here's to the People

Falling in Love with Jazz

Dancing in the Dark

Reel Life

Sunny Days, Starry Nights

No Problem

Love at First Sight

Don't Ask

There Will Never Be Another You

Easy Living

The Way I Feel

Nucleus

The Cutting Edge

Horn Culture

Next Album

Sonny Rollins in Japan

G-Man

The Solo Album

Don't Stop the Carnival

Sonny Rollins at Music Inn/Teddy Edwards at Falcon's Lair

The Standard Sonny Rollins

East Broadway Run Down

Tenor Titan

Alfie – Original Music from the Score

Sonny Rollins on Impulse!

Now's the Time

Sonny Meets Hawk!

The Bridge

Our Man in Jazz

What's New?

Sonny Boy

Saxes in Stereo

Newk's Time

Sonny Rollins Plays

A Night at the Village Vanguard

Brass Trio

Sonny Rollins and the Big Brass

Freedom Suite

Sonny Rollins and the Contemporary Leaders

Rollins Plays for Bird

Sonny Rollins, Volume 1

The Sound of Sonny

Tour de Force

Sonny Rollins, Vol. 2

Way Out West

Tenor Madness

Sonny Rollins Plus 4

Moving Out

Sonny Rollins with the Modern Jazz Quartet

Saxophone Colossus

Blows for LP

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