I have read a week’s worth of Rollins tributes. Yours was the best. You give concrete examples of what made Sonny great. The lining that connects them all was his humanity. It has been my experience that when folks are lucky to live near the century mark, they tend to not be well remembered by the time they depart. They have outlived most of the people they ever knew, and the current generation is unaware. This has proved not to be the case with Sonny Rollins. That alone speaks volumes.
Within hours of his passing I knew. I have read, watched and listened to so many of the many postings and had my recollections and emotions. Calmly. But, by the end of your post the tears were flowing. Thank you. I think I needed it. I hadn’t let go of Sonny or the tears.
If this column were a solo, it would make me jump to my feet, too! You've powerfully connected the dots of the greatness of Sonny Rollins to the life-affirming power of music.
The sketch with my comment is a caricature of me done by Fred Zimmerman in 1963 when he was instructing the bass section of the National youth Orchestra of Canada. it my last year if serious bass playing but made the audition for 1964 and took a dance band gig for the summer. Three players from the 1964 and later got grants to study with Mr. Z in NYC.
The Pizzarellis played the the "iconic" records "The Bridge" and "Way Out West" on their show today. They are masterpieces, but my choice, and my all time favorite, is Sonny Rollins Volume 2.
The playing is so spontaneous and the tracks sound like one take only. The two Monk tunes are among the least played of his in my 60 years of following Jazz. The players are all leaders. To each his own.
As always Todd, reading your posts, reinforces my humble humility in my status as a musician. I still just like to play along and help the band play and to inspire them to perform with more confidence and to feel more secure that I’ll be solid and dependable for them. I also enjoy teaching them when/if the opportunity rests itself 😂😂😂❤️❤️🎶🎶🎶.
I have read a week’s worth of Rollins tributes. Yours was the best. You give concrete examples of what made Sonny great. The lining that connects them all was his humanity. It has been my experience that when folks are lucky to live near the century mark, they tend to not be well remembered by the time they depart. They have outlived most of the people they ever knew, and the current generation is unaware. This has proved not to be the case with Sonny Rollins. That alone speaks volumes.
Thanks so much Peter. I too have read a lot of great memorials.
Sunday morning - Coffee and Coolman, perfect together.
Thanks, Richard.
Ok, you did it.
Within hours of his passing I knew. I have read, watched and listened to so many of the many postings and had my recollections and emotions. Calmly. But, by the end of your post the tears were flowing. Thank you. I think I needed it. I hadn’t let go of Sonny or the tears.
Peace be with you Sonny Rollins.
We are both fortunate to have been so moved by another human being. Sonny was cut from a singular mold.
Wonderful, wonderful, Todd.
Thank you, Ed. They hardly make them like Sonny anymore.
If this column were a solo, it would make me jump to my feet, too! You've powerfully connected the dots of the greatness of Sonny Rollins to the life-affirming power of music.
Thank you for the kind words, Mad.
Thanks Todd for a sincere comment about the passing of a true giant.
The sketch with my comment is a caricature of me done by Fred Zimmerman in 1963 when he was instructing the bass section of the National youth Orchestra of Canada. it my last year if serious bass playing but made the audition for 1964 and took a dance band gig for the summer. Three players from the 1964 and later got grants to study with Mr. Z in NYC.
The Pizzarellis played the the "iconic" records "The Bridge" and "Way Out West" on their show today. They are masterpieces, but my choice, and my all time favorite, is Sonny Rollins Volume 2.
The playing is so spontaneous and the tracks sound like one take only. The two Monk tunes are among the least played of his in my 60 years of following Jazz. The players are all leaders. To each his own.
Should have been 70 years of Jazz, as pointed out by my son.
What a good tribute…
Thanks, Brian.
As always Todd, reading your posts, reinforces my humble humility in my status as a musician. I still just like to play along and help the band play and to inspire them to perform with more confidence and to feel more secure that I’ll be solid and dependable for them. I also enjoy teaching them when/if the opportunity rests itself 😂😂😂❤️❤️🎶🎶🎶.