Walter Theodore "Sonny" Rollins (September 7, 1930 – May 25, 2026)[1] was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. Rollins was widely known as one of the most important and influential jazz musicians.[1] A number of his compositions, such as "St. Thomas", "Oleo", "Doxy", and "Airegin", have become jazz standards.[1]
Sonny Rollins | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Walter Theodore Rollins |
| Also known as | Newk, Colossus, Uncle Don |
| Born | September 7, 1930 Harlem, New York City, U.S. |
| Died | May 25, 2026 (aged 95) Woodstock, New York, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz, hard bop |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, composer, bandleader |
| Instruments | Tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone |
| Years active | 1947–2014 |
| Labels | Prestige, Blue Note, Contemporary, RCA Victor, Impulse!, Milestone, Doxy |
| Website | http://www.sonnyrollins.com/ |
Rollins was born in New York City.
Rollins died in his home in Woodstock, New York on May 25, 2026 from problems caused by pulmonary fibrosis at the age of 95.[2][3]
References
change- 1 2 3 allmusic Biography
- ↑ Morris, Chris (May 25, 2026). "Sonny Rollins, Jazz's 'Saxophone Colossus,' Dies at 95". Variety. Retrieved May 25, 2026.
- ↑ "Sonny Rollins, saxophonist and restless genius of jazz, dead at 95". PBS. May 26, 2026. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
Other websites
change
Media related to Sonny Rollins at Wikimedia Commons
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