Saxophone Colossus Sonny Rollins Receives Kennedy Center Honor
Story by Stacey Doyle (NY City Buzz Examiner/Examiner.com)
NYC native Sonny Rollins was one of the esteemed recipients of the 2011 John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Awards. The Honors awards were shown during a two-hour prime time special aired on CBS on Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at 9 p.m.
Raised in Harlem, Sonny Rollins was one of the recipients at the 34th annual Kennedy Center honors awards. Rollins is renowned as one of the most influential jazz musicians in the world with compositions such as “Airegin” and “St. Thomas.” According to the Kennedy Center website, Chairman David M. Rubinstein said, “Saxophonist Sonny Rollins’ masterful improvisation and powerful presence have infused the truly American art form of jazz with passion and energy.”
Kennedy Center President, Michael M. Kaiser, stated, “In addition to recognizing some of the world’s most treasured artists, the Kennedy Center Honors supports a wide variety of artistic programming, as well as the Center’s educational and national outreach efforts.”
The New York Post reports Sonny Rollins, 81, is referred to as the “Saxophone Colossus,” playing with greats such as Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis. Rollins said, “In honoring me, [they] honor jazz, America's classical music. For that I am grateful.”
Sammy Rollins played all over New York City. In September, Ornette Coleman played informally with Rollins at the Beacon Theater on Broadway. Rollins used to play with Miles Davis at the former Audubon Ballroom on Broadway. Rollins indicated, “Miles was a funny guy.”
The first time Rollins played with Dizzy Gillespie was at the ballroom at Rockland Palace on W. 155th Street. He said it was a “big, big step in my career development to play with Dizzy.” Rollins also used to practice on the Williamsburg Bridge and said, “Playing outside is really excellent for horn players because it increases your lung power.”
Rollins took his first saxophone lessons when he was about 7 or 8 at The New York School of Music in 125th Street. He said, “That's where I started my formal training.” At the recording studios at Steinway Hall on W. 57th Street, Rollins said, “My first record in New York was made here.”
Sonny Rollins has been the recipient of many other honors including the 2010 National Medal of Arts. He was also elected to the Down Beat Jazz Hall of Fame in 1973.(12/28/2011)
