Jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins had a long stretch of noteworthy recordings during his 95 years of life. In his memory, these are 10 tunes I recommend:
- Best Wishes (Live) (Rollins's saxophone playing is joyful in this expansive uptempo tune. I'm glad the audience was so appreciative.)
- God Bless The Child (It doesn't surprise me that there are so many versions of this tune. Its strong, thoughtful melody works equally well when sung or played on the guitar, piano, or, in this case, tenor sax. This expansive rendition gives the listener ample time to hear Rollins's smooth, ringing tone.)
- How Are Things In Glocca Morra? (Rollins carries the melody on tenor sax perfectly, and Wynton Kelly's piano playing adds considerably to the song's atmosphere.)
- I Can't Get Started (with Roy Hargrove) (Rollins and Hargrove show that this often-sung standard works just as well as a saxophone-and-trumpet duet. The tune's heart shines through in any context.)
- Isn't She Lovely? (Thanks to the 45 my dad gave me when I was in grade school, this was the first Rollins recording I ever heard. I was impressed by how skillfully Rollins converted this Stevie Wonder song into a saxophone instrumental.)
- Lust For Life (The stairstep-style trumpet intro, and the way it sets the stage for Rollins's saxophone, made me hear, at an early age, what sets jazz apart from all other forms of music.)
- Mambo Bounce (A hip tenor sax melody that would serve traditional jazz and easy listening playlists well; although it might be a stretch for some listeners, it could segue with Percy Faith and his orchestra's "Go-Go-Po-Go.")
- St. Thomas (Rollins composed this infectious Latin jazz rhythm and carried it off on saxophone, making it my favorite track of his. Also recommended: Ron Carter's rendition, which shows how well the melody also works on the bass.)
- There Are Such Things (One of several sax-based gems from the album, "Worktime." For more uptempo fare, check out "It's All Right With Me.")
- Til There Was You (I've always liked the smooth sensitivity with which The Beatles covered this, but Rollins conveys a similar carefree outlook on the saxophone.)
