Saxophone Colossus: A Portrait of Sonny Rollins

[Hardbopjazz]

There have been many books written about Newk, but this one seems worth reading.

[JSngry]

Why?

[David Ayers]

If the book is as in-depth as the review, I'll skip it.

Actually I find Bob Blumenthal usually a bit too in awe of his subjects. In any case, isn't this basically a picture book with accompanying hero-worship by Blumenthal? Hardbopjazz, have you actually read it?

[Fer Urbina]

If the book is as in-depth as the review, I'll skip it.

Actually I find Bob Blumenthal usually a bit too in awe of his subjects. In any case, isn't this basically a picture book with accompanying hero-worship by Blumenthal? Hardbopjazz, have you actually read it?

I'd love to read something in-depth about Rollins (sort of what Andy Hamilton did with Konitz). I think it'd be very interesting, although I don't know if Rollins himself would be willing to do that.

F

[Hardbopjazz]

If the book is as in-depth as the review, I'll skip it.

Actually I find Bob Blumenthal usually a bit too in awe of his subjects. In any case, isn't this basically a picture book with accompanying hero-worship by Blumenthal? Hardbopjazz, have you actually read it?

No I haven't. It isn't out yet. The release date is September 2010

Why?

A big fan of Rollins and it appears to have Sonny's blessing. Sonny has never been on that likes to draw attention to himself, so if he is giving the thumbs up, it should be worth reading.

[clifford_thornton]

Blumenthal isn't a favorite by any stretch, but at the time I was getting into jazz his words (usually in liner notes) were very helpful.

[felser]

Blumenthal isn't a favorite by any stretch, but at the time I was getting into jazz his words (usually in liner notes) were very helpful.

My favorite Newk story is his supposed response to Gunther Schuller's landmark analysis of his 'Blue 7' solo, in an essay titled “Sonny Rollins and the Challenge of Thematic Improvisation”. Rollins supposedly read the essay, said something like "Really, did I do all that? I thought I just played the sax", and soon after disappeared for three years. To me, he was never the same after the 50's. I'd love to read something where he really goes into the 59-62 and 66-72 retirements ( I think I have the years pretty well correct). Anyone have any reading to recommend on that, or stories to share?