Sonny Rollins, the saxophonist known as the “Saxophone Colossus,” died Monday at his home in Woodstock, NY. He was 95.
A statement on his social media page said he “died this afternoon” surrounded by family.
Rollins was one of the defining tenor saxophonists of post-war jazz, alongside Charlie Parker, Coleman Hawkins, and John Coltrane. His hard-driving yet meditative style shaped hard bop and made his 1956 album _Saxophone Colossus_ a landmark recording.
Born in Harlem to parents from the U.S. Virgin Islands, Rollins used jazz for social and spiritual commentary. His work reflected the civil rights movement, the aftermath of 9/11, and his studies in India and Japan.
He was known for the calypso-inflected “St. Thomas” and the 1962 album _The Bridge_, recorded after years of practicing on New York’s Williamsburg Bridge.
Rollins continued recording and performing into his 80s despite respiratory issues. He credited yoga and his creative drive for his longevity, saying in a 2016 interview: “I’m still alive because I’m still learning.”
He also appeared on The Rolling Stones’ 1981 album “Tattoo You”. Over a nearly seven-decade career, he played with Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, and Coltrane, though he later said he regretted some of his younger interactions with them.
Rollins is survived by his musical legacy. His wife and longtime manager Lucille died in 2004.
