The Last Saxophone Colossus: Sonny Rollins' Legacy Beyond His Sound Sonny Rollins' passing at 95 has sent shockwaves through jazz circles, but its impact extends far beyond the genre's aficionados.
For nearly seven decades, Rollins was an unwavering presence on the American cultural landscape, his saxophone wailing and moaning with a visceral intensity that resonated with generations of musicians and listeners.
Born into a musical family, Rollins' early exposure to Louis Armstrong and Fats Waller laid the groundwork for his mastery of the tenor saxophone.