Sonny Rollins Dies: Jazz Giant Was 95

Sonny Rollins, a giant of jazz who was often called the music’s “greatest improviser” died today at his home in Woodstock, NY. That, according to a post on his official social media. He was 95.

The tenor saxophonist’s 60-plus year career saw him record 60-plus albums. His compositions “St. Thomas,” “Oleo,” “Doxy” and “Airegin” are jazz standards. In its obituary, the New York Times observed, “Even by the standards of a music that prizes individuality, he stood out.” The Associated Press called Rollins “the restless genius of jazz.” Undoubtedly that restlessness helped fuel his work over the decades.

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