Who is Sonny Rollins?

Sonny Rollins is American jazz saxophonist and composer.

How did Sonny Rollins die?

Sonny Rollins passed away in 2026 (pulmonary fibrosis).

Sonny Rollins

Q: What is Sonny Rollins known for?

Sonny Rollins is primarily known as a(n) conductor, musician, bandleader, composer, saxophonist, jazz musician, jazz saxophonist.

American jazz saxophonist and composer

Born:September 7, 1930

Died:May 25, 2026

Age at death:95

Manner of death:Natural Causes

Cause of death:Pulmonary Fibrosis

Zodiac Sign:Virgo

Born in:Harlem, United States

Residence:Woodstock, United States

Conductor Musician Bandleader Composer Saxophonist Jazz Musician Jazz Saxophonist

Links

Wikipedia Official Website IMDb Facebook X (Twitter)

Famous For

Bands

Sonny Rollins Quartet

Songs & Albums

Saxophone ColossusTenor MadnessThe BridgeNewk's TimeSt. Thomas

Awards

Kennedy Center Honors (2011)الميدالية الوطنية للفنون (2010)Austrian Decoration for Science and Art (2009)Polar Music Prize (2007)Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (2004)

Sonny Rollins

American jazz saxophonist and composer

Biography

Walter Theodore "Sonny" Rollins (September 7, 1930 – May 25, 2026) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist who is widely recognized as one of the most important and influential of jazz musicians. In a seven-decade career, Rollins recorded more than 60 albums as a leader. His 1956 album Saxophone Colossus was selected for preservation by the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress in 2016. A number of his compositions, including "St. Thomas", "Oleo", "Doxy", and "Airegin", have become jazz standards. Rollins was often called "the greatest living improviser". Sometimes known as "saxophone colossus", Rollins was awarded a lifetime Grammy Award and was honored with the Kennedy Center Honors in 2011. He was credited as a defining figure of the jazz genre.

This biography uses content from the Wikipedia article “Sonny Rollins”, available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License.

Photos

Sonny Rollins performing solo at the San Francisco Opera House Feb. 22, 1982, a benefit concert for ailing SF Chronicle writer Conrad Silvert. - Brian McMillen photo / contact: brianmcmillen@hotmail.com

Sonny Rollins at Stockholm Jazz Fest 2009

Sonny Rollins at Detroit Jazz Festival (August 31, 2012)

Sonny Rollins, JVC Newport Jazz Festival

Sonny Rollins at Stockholm Jazz Fest 2009.

Outdoor portrait of Sonny Rollins, american jazz saxo player, taken on 2005-07-22 during the Jazz à Juan Festival (French Riviera), before his performance.

President Barack Obama speaking at the 2011 Kennedy Center Honors reception in the East Room of the White House, honoring the 2011 Kennedy Center Honorees (sitting, from left) Barbara Cook, Neil Diamond, Yo-Yo Ma, Sonny Rollins and Meryl Streep