Sonny Rollins, towering jazz innovator known as 'Saxophone Colossus,' dies at 95
The Harlem-born Rollins – recognisable in his later years for a shock of white hair – was one of a handful of saxophone players who defined the instrument, a pantheon that includes Charlie Parker, Coleman Hawkins and John Coltrane, with whom he had an affectionate but complicated relationship. But unlike so many artists from jazz's defining post-World War II period, Rollins lived a long life, remastering his work well into his 80s even as respiratory issues limited his performances. In an interview with AFP, Rollins credited his longevity to yoga – which helped him to concentrate and stay off drugs and alcohol – but mostly to his creative thirst.
- ▪The Harlem-born Rollins – recognisable in his later years for a shock of white hair – was one of a handful of saxophone players who defined the instrument, a pantheon that includes Charlie Parker, Coleman Hawkins and John Coltrane, with who
- ▪But unlike so many artists from jazz's defining post-World War II period, Rollins lived a long life, remastering his work well into his 80s even as respiratory issues limited his performances.
- ▪In an interview with AFP, Rollins credited his longevity to yoga – which helped him to concentrate and stay off drugs and alcohol – but mostly to his creative thirst.
3 outlets in our directory ran this story. Coverage spans 2 points on the political spectrum — 1 lean left, 1 centre.
- ▪ Sonny Rollins, Jazz Luminary and Saxophone Legend, Dies at 95 — Pitchfork
- ▪ Sonny Rollins, saxophone ’colossus’ who honed his sound on a New York bridge, dies at 95 — Investing.com — News
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| Publication time | Tue, 26 May 2026 03:00:39 GMT |
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Advertising Home Culture Sonny Rollins, towering jazz innovator known as 'Saxophone Colossus,' dies at 95 Culture Sonny Rollins, the fiercely inventive tenor saxophonist whose decades-spanning career helped define modern jazz and earned him the nickname "Saxophone Colossus," died Monday at his home in upstate New York, according to a statement posted to his social media accounts. He was 95. Issued on: 26/05/2026 - 05:00Modified: 26/05/2026 - 10:03 6 min Reading time Share By: FRANCE 24 File photo: Sonny Rollins performs during a concert in Tokyo on October 4, 2010. © Junji Kurokawa, AP Sonny Rollins, the "Saxophone Colossus" whose hard-charging yet flowingly meditative works made him the last in a golden era of jazz greats, died Monday. He was 95.
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