Sonny Rollins, Barbican

Sonny Rollins, Barbican | reviews, news & interviews

Sonny Rollins, Barbican

More than two hours of magic from US sax colossus

by Marcus OdairSunday, 21 November 2010

Sonny Rollins: Octogenarian colossus

"Being asked to introduce this artist”, began the compere, “is like being asked to introduce God." Fans of Eric Clapton, of course, might beg to differ. But in jazz terms, Sonny Rollins, self-proclaimed “saxophone colossus”, has indisputably been on the all-time A-list since his early work with Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk. He is also on a particularly exclusive part of that list of jazz greats: those still alive. Yet even amongst those few, whose resilient ranks include both Cecil Taylor and Ornette Coleman, Rollins’s London Jazz Festival performance represented a quite remarkable feat of stamina.

Buy

Find Sonny Rollins on Amazon

Explore topics

Share this article

...

Permalink Submitted by lewstewns (not verified) on Tue, 23/11/2010 - 10:35

well... I'm not sure you were at the same concert that i attended on saturday. firstly, Sonny Rollins is anything but a "self proclaimed" saxophone colossus. he is far too humble to make such an egotistical statement.secondly,Mr Rollins' playing style in his autumn years is far from safe. It is almost as if,having played for 60+ years,he has dispensed with the obvious melody at times and plays "outside" for longer periods.I also feel that you are being a trifle unfair regarding his band as many journalists have before you. with an icon like sonny rollins,in his 80th year, it is obvious that the role of the band is to back his every whim. they do that marvellously,albeit a job which will bring them little personal praise. they are not there to compete or stand out.however, I would site Russell Malone's solo on "Sonny Please" as worthy of mention. His style couples straight ahead funk a la James Brown with a chordal style similar to Jim Hall's

Add comment

Subscribe to theartsdesk.com

Thank you for continuing to read our work on theartsdesk.com. For unlimited access to every article in its entirety, including our archive of more than 15,000 pieces, we're asking for £5 per month or £40 per year. We feel it's a very good deal, and hope you do too.

To take a subscription now simply click here.

And if you're looking for that extra gift for a friend or family member, why not treat them to a theartsdesk.com gift subscription?

more New music

Album: Floating Points - Cascade High energy techno and rave from the synth craftsman needs your best speakers

Album: Snow Patrol - The Forest is the Path Struggling to find the good in this hugely successful band's lovelorn stadium plod

Album: Tindersticks - Soft Tissue More poetic heartbreak from Stuart Staples' mob

Album: Juniore - Trois, Deux, Un Parisian trio showcase an elegant if deliberate retro-futurist garage-pop

Music Reissues Weekly: Lee 'Scratch' Perry and Friends - People Funny Boy: The Upsetter Singles 1968-1969 Meticulous investigation of the early self-determined years of the eminent sonic architect

The Allergies, Hare & Hounds, Birmingham review - funky hip-hoppers fire up the weekend Breaks, funky basslines, horns and plenty of dancing

Album: LL COOL J - THE FORCE OK you can call it a comeback

Gossip, SWG3, Glasgow review - powerhouse voice provokes only an intermittent party Beth Ditto was on superb form, but her band's sound struggled to find a groove

Album: Fat Dog - WOOF One of the year's word-of-mouth live sensations fires out their debut

Album: Boston Manor - Sundiver A reflective and fun second chapter in this double album

Girl in Red, Barrowland, Glasgow review - rarely has vulnerability been so giddy Marie Ulven was on chatty, lively form in front of an adoring audience.

Supersonic Festival 2024, Birmingham review - another fine musical celebration far away from the mainstream Birmingham again welcomes the weird and the wonderful to town

Follow @theartsdesk