Jazz Icon Sonny Rollins, the Saxophone Colossus, dies at 95

Sonny Rollins – the pioneering saxophonist and master of improvisation, who earned the nickname “saxophone colossus” – has died at the age of 95.

A statement from his publicist confirmed that Rollins passed away on Monday (25.05.26) at his home in Woodstock, New York.

His cause of death is not known.

Rollins retired in 2014, due to poor respiratory health caused by pulmonary fibrosis.

A 2009 quote by the jazz legend was shared with the news of his passing, showing his spiritual side.

It read: “I think when the creative person ends, he continues in the next existence.

“I’m a person who believes this life isn’t the be-all and end-all of everything. A spiritual person doesn’t feel like that.”

Rollins’ career spanned seven decades and saw him honoured with a Lifetime Achievement accolade at the 2004 Grammy Awards.

His 1956 release Saxophone Colossus was formally recognised in 2016 when the Library of Congress added it to the National Recording Registry.

Over the years, several Rollins originals – including St. Thomas, Oleo, Doxy and Airegin – have taken on lives of their own, becoming staples in the jazz repertoire.

His most recent studio album, 2006’s Sonny, Please, peaked at No. 7 on the US Billboard Top Contemporary Jazz Albums chart and No. 12 on the US Billboard Top Jazz Albums chart.

In 2023, Rollins sold his music catalogue to Reservoir Media.

A year later, he published The Notebooks of Sonny Rollins, containing his personal notes dating as far back as 1959.

The final entry, in 2010, carried the motivational message: “No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up.”

Alongside poignant reflections about music, creativity and spirituality, Rollins mentions his passion for yoga and how he stays clear of bitter candy, because it affects his breathing.

Rollins lived close to the World Trade Centre and he recalled taking his beloved saxophone with him when he and his wife left the area when the Twin Towers were hit on September 11, 2001.

He later admitted to The Guardian that it taught him that “possessions are not where it’s at”.

His influence stretched way beyond the world of music, with former US President Barack Obama awarding Rollins the National Medal of the Arts in 2019. He said the jazz hero inspired him to “take risks”.

He also popped up on an episode of The Simpsons dubbed Whiskey Business.