SONNY ROLLINS LIVE IN TOKYO

◆ Mar 30th, 1988 ◆

Sonny Rollins: Walter Theodore "Sonny" Rollins was born on September 7, 1930. He is

an American jazz tenor saxophonist who is widely recognized as one of the most important and

influential jazz musicians. Rollins is a force of the nature of sound, it is the music itself that is

expressed through the tenor sax, inherent in him, which dominates him and is part of his

intimate! One of the greatest saxophonists . He is jazz's greatest living improviser, able to imbue

his solos with wry humor, surprise, brilliant logical form and profound emotion. Tenor

saxophonist who was among the finest improvisers on the instrument to appear since the mid-

1950s.

One of Sonny Rollins' best albums of the 80s a Japanese-only live date that features some

excellent work on both tenor and soprano sax. The group has a great feel, Sonny Rollins was

playing tenor saxophone. Thanks Clifton Anderson, the trombone player , and Jerome Harris, the

guitarist, both of whom bring some new elements to Rollins' groove, alongside electric bass from

Bob Cranshaw and drums from Al Foster. The pianist was Mark Soskin, Sonny's solos are all

well-blown and quite extended. Put together with a strong sense of fire, and a bit less of the hoke

that could sometimes show up on other US domestic albums. We remark that at the end of the

first tune (O.T.YU.G. oh thank you oh god ). He plays some incredible several seconds of

circular breathing, a thing he very seldom did on his records. simply amazing. His technique is

so smooth and fluid here.

This concert lies with the Jazz concepts read on class in the sense of musical instruments that

were used in the concert, the rhythm used, and the notes. It was interesting for me to see the

guitarist playing a Fender Strat (or Stratocaster type) guitar. Often the Jazz players play a Gibson

hollow or semi hollow body. The group sounds great.

As a conclusion, Rollins has been called "the greatest living improviser" and the

"Saxophone Colossus". He is unquestionably a legend; no other word can possibly do justice to

the self-described saxophone colossus and his truly remarkable career, which spans seven

decades and includes a virtual who’s-who of jazz as supporting players.