Date of Birth: September 7, 1930
Zodiac Sign: Virgo
Biography
Theodore Walter “Sonny” Rollins, born on September 7, 1930, in New York City, is an American jazz tenor saxophonist widely recognized as one of the most influential jazz musicians of all time. Rollins began playing the saxophone at a young age and quickly made a name for himself in the jazz scene during the 1950s. His career spans over seven decades, during which he has worked with numerous jazz legends, including Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, and Max Roach. Rollins is known for his innovative approach to improvisation and his ability to blend different styles, making significant contributions to the bebop and hard bop genres. His 1956 album “Saxophone Colossus” is considered a landmark in jazz history. Throughout his career, Rollins has received numerous awards, including multiple Grammy Awards and the National Medal of Arts. In addition to his musical achievements, Rollins is also known for his periods of self-imposed sabbaticals, during which he would step away from the public eye to practice and refine his craft. Despite facing health challenges in his later years, Rollins continues to be a revered figure in the world of jazz.
5 Interesting Facts about Sonny Rollins
1. Sonny Rollins was known to practice on the Williamsburg Bridge in New York City during one of his sabbaticals in the late 1950s.
2. He was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004.
3. Rollins took a three-year break from performing to study yoga and meditation in the mid-1960s.
4. He received an honorary doctorate from Juilliard School in 2013.
5. Rollins was featured on the cover of Time magazine in 1965, one of the few jazz musicians to achieve this honor.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Sonny Rollins
1. “Jazz never ends… it just continues to grow and change.”
2. “Improvisation is the ability to create something very spiritual, something of one’s own.”
3. “I’m still trying to find out who I am as a person at this age.”
4. “Music is my life—it’s a reflection of what I go through and who I am.”
5. “There’s always something to learn, but the learning must be done in a state of play.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the height of his career, Sonny Rollins’ net worth was estimated to be around $3 million.
Children
Sonny Rollins does not have any children.
Relevant Links
1. [Sonny Rollins Official Website](http://www.sonnyrollins.com/
2. [Sonny Rollins on AllMusic](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/sonny-rollins-mn0000031461
3. [Grammy Awards Profile](https://www.grammy.com/artists/sonny-rollins/17925
4. [National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master](https://www.arts.gov/honors/jazz/sonny-rollins
5. [Sonny Rollins Biography on Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sonny-Rollins
