Sonny Rollins
(1930- )
Theodore Walter, aka Sonny Rollins, studied alto saxophone from about age 11 and took up the tenor in 1946. In high school he led a group with Jackie McLean, Kenny Drew and Art Taylor. In 1948, he rehearsed with Thelonius Monk. From 1949-1954, he played and recorded with a number of bop musicians and groups, including J.J. Johnson, Fats Navarro, Bud Powell, Max Roach, Art Blakey,Monk, the MJQ and most often with Miles Davis, with whom he recorded three compositions in 1954 which later became jazz standards: Airegin, Doxy and Oleo. In 1955, while trying to overcome his dependence on drugs, he moved to Chicago to play with Max Roach. He remained there until 1957. During 1956-1958,
Rollins was regarded as one of the
most talented and innovative tenor saxophonists in
jazz along with Charlie
Parker and John Coltrane.
Nevertheless, he was discontented; he could not
find compatible sidemen, saw shortcomings in his
own playing and suffered from poor health. For
these reasons he voluntarily withdrew from public
life from August, 1959 to November, 1961. During
this period of retirement, his habit of playing on
the Williamsburg Bridge in New York became legendary.
He re-emerged in 1962 performing again with many famous
talents, including the late Don Cherry. However, he again
retired in 1969. He began playing again in 1972, but
playing in what some refer to as more commercial vein.
However, he has remained active through the late 90's,
touring the USA, Europe and Japan while recording a fusion
of bop and soul music with his quintet.
