Following his passing at the age of 95, we reflect on an extraordinary body of work that spans from vibrant recordings in the mid-1950s to a poignant performance in the aftermath of 9/11.
By the time this 1956 recording session took place, a 30-year-old Sonny Rollins had already left his distinctive imprint with collaborations alongside Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk. This was just a year after the death of Charlie Parker, the revolutionary bebop saxophonist. Coincidentally, Rollins joined forces with his contemporary and admirer, John Coltrane, for the album’s titular blues chase featuring two tenors. In this energetic session, backed by the Miles Davis rhythm section of that era – Red Garland on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, and Philly Joe Jones on drums – the leader’s already inexhaustible creativity is fully unleashed on tracks like “Paul’s Pal” and “The Most Beautiful Girl in the World.”