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Sonny Rollins

World Cafe

Sonny Rollins: Elder Statesman of Jazz

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Ranking with John Coltrane and Coleman Hawkins as one of the all-time great tenor sax players, jazz legend Sonny Rollins has been recording fiery, passionate and intelligent music for nearly 60 years. Hear Rollins give an interview and in-studio performance.

Sonny Rollins in Studio on World Cafe - 07/26/2007

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Music Interviews

Saxophonist Sonny Rollins Still Swinging Strong

Saxophonist Sonny Rollins has outlasted many of the jazz greats he played with. At age 76, he's now jazz's elder statesman, crossing another milestone in his 65-year career with a new CD, Sonny, Please, a new record label and a Web site.

Saxophonist Sonny Rollins Still Swinging Strong

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Review

Basic Jazz Record Library

Sonny Rollins: 'Freedom Suite'

In 1958, Brown v. Board of Education was four years old, and the Civil Rights Movement was heating up. As a tribute to the cause of African-American freedom, jazz legend Sonny Rollins recorded Freedom Suite. This classic contains one of the first extended compositions for the tenor saxophone (it's more than 20 minutes long).

Sonny Rollins: 'Freedom Suite'

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Review

Basic Jazz Record Library

Sonny Rollins: 'Saxophone Colossus'

A jazz prodigy before he turned 20, Sonny Rollins ranks with John Coltrane and Coleman Hawkins as one of the great tenor saxophonists. In what is often termed his breakthrough album, 1956's Saxophone Colossus contains diverse musical elements, including a calypso, ballad, and Kurt Weill classic.

Sonny Rollins: 'Saxophone Colossus'

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