Sonny Rollins: The Definite Musical Guide [Paperback]

Peter Niklas Wilson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2, 2001

Asked to name the greatest living sax player, most jazz musicians and fans will agree: Sonny Rollins. It's no surprise that Theodore Walter Rollins, born in 1930 in Harlem, should win this title. His playing combines a rich and vibrant tone, melodic and rhythmic inventiveness, and a healthy dose of humor. Albums such as Way Out West and Freedom Suite are considered classics, and Rollins's compositions such as "St. Thomas" and "Doxy" are popular at jam sessions around the world. Peter Niklas Wilson's biography presents a man on a constant spiritual quest and an artist plagued by self-doubt. The book provides an in-depth analysis of key aspects of Rollins's music and his eccentric repertoire. An annotated and illustrated discography surveys the nearly 100 albums he has recorded throughout his lengthy career.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

"The greatest living improviser." "The king of tenor players." "A jazz colossus." Jazz critics have rarely been reserved in writing about Rollins. At the height of the saxophonist's critical and commercial success, he told Down Beat, "Despite what's been written about me, I don't think I've played as well as I'm able. I've only done a small part of what I want to do." It was not false modesty. A consummate artist, Rollins had the courage and objectivity to own up to his shortcomings even when fans and critics did not. Wilson (Ornette Coleman) supplies enough biographical information for readers to understand the varying contexts of Rollins's recordings. For each, he provides intelligent and sensitive commentaries, along with information regarding their significance and circumstances. The definitive musical guide, this will reward anyone who wants to understand who Rollins is, what he accomplished musically, and the culture in which he flourished. Harold V. Cordry, Baldwin, KS
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Berkeley Hills Books; annotated edition edition (March 2, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1893163067
• ISBN-13: 978-1893163065
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #78,623 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #3 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Arts & Literature > Composers & Musicians > Jazz

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for a novice like me and a springboard for wanting more., May 22, 2011

By 

Chris Latter (Midway, FL, US) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sonny Rollins: The Definite Musical Guide (Paperback)

Wilson accomplishes what he sets out to do, which is to give a more rounded, multi-faceted image of Rollins, and fill in more of the gaps about this private man's life. Wilson does this by limiting the scope of the book, weaving a good story, and drawing from reliable jazz sources to construct a more cmoplete picture of the enigmatic jazz artist.
Wilson packs the basics in four meaty chapters: biography, personality, style, and discography. It lacks an index, but you can't have everything, and what you get is well worth it -- a writing style that is authentic about Rollins and jazz like a great sports writer might cover a sports icon, being true to the athlete and true to the sport as well.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rollins: the definitive musical guide, August 5, 2001

By 

Walter Van Asch (Antwerp, Belgium) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sonny Rollins: The Definite Musical Guide (Paperback)

As I just retired and wanted to start understand better the jazzmusic, that I am following since 40 years, this is the first book I bought for this purpose. It will definitely suit this purpose. At first I read it as a novel, including the extensive discography. I then could situate all the Rollins' records and tracks that I collected over the years. Next, but most extensive and the most interesting further use will be to systematically go through my records and study them based on the comments in this book. I am looking forward to much additional joy with the book and to improve my understanding of jazz in general.

5.0 out of 5 stars Recommand !, April 9, 2002

By 

"jazzpin" (Belgium) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sonny Rollins: The Definite Musical Guide (Paperback)

I am a jazz musician myself , and I adore this book ! Especially the "Style" section , Mr. Wilson is telling the truth of Sonny's playing , if you were kinda confused by Schuller's 1958 analysis of "Blue 7" as well , get this book and read it , then listen to the recording again , you gonna find out Sonny didn't "think" like scholars thought .

The earlier Ornette Coleman book is in the similar layout , and it's also superb !