Sonny Rollins, the tenor saxophonist and restless genius whose bold, distinctive tone and constant experimentation kept him at the forefront of jazz for over 50 years, died on Monday at the age of 95. This was reported by CBS News, according to UNN.
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Spokesperson Terri Hinte said in a statement that Rollins died at his home in Woodstock, New York. She did not provide a specific cause of death but noted that he had been largely homebound for the past few years due to various health issues.
From his early years as a young prodigy to his more deliberate solo works and experiments in free jazz, Rollins was revered for his improvisational mastery. He was one of the last great masters of the bebop era and—alongside John Coltrane and Charlie Parker—one of the most influential saxophonists of his time.
Rock fans could also hear his playing on the Rolling Stones' 1981 album "Tattoo You," which features his melancholic saxophone solo on the ballad "Waiting on a Friend," created after Mick Jagger watched him perform.
Despite his success, Rollins was never fully satisfied with his work, occasionally taking long breaks from performing and constantly moving toward new styles.
He described himself as a "work in progress," saying he was not among the artists who settle into a single style of playing.
His early bebop works were the most popular among listeners; however, Rollins did not look back and called even listening to his own old recordings "painful" because of their flaws.
In the 1990s and 2000s, Rollins released a series of highly acclaimed albums. He maintained a rigorous practice regimen and continued to tour even into his 80s. Later, the legendary musician was forced to retire due to pulmonary fibrosis, which gradually affected his lungs. He played his last concert in 2012 and fully ceased performing in 2014.
He left behind numerous unpublished recordings.