Saxophonist supreme Sonny Rollins turns 81 today, and was announced as recipient of 2011 Kennedy Center honors. He really deserves it: he’s been a beacon of robust, smart, honest American music for more than 60 years. Surfing for clips, I found this of “Alfie’s Theme” from 1982, but there are many good ones from earlier and later in his career.
Bret “the Jazz Video Guy” Primack has done heroic work documenting the Man — check out their collaborative video biography. But as a sampler of his recordings, I recommend these five fine Sonny Rollins tracks, which may not be the typical critics’ picks, but are among my favorites. It’s easy to think of 50 or maybe 500 others.
“Strode Rode” — From Saxophone Colossus (1956). A hard-bop tribute to athlete and actor Woody Strode, who portrayed characters of integrity in John Ford westerns, and elsewhere. Rollins’ quartet is driven by drummer Max Roach.
“Love Is A Simple Thing” from Sonny Rollins/Brass-Sonny Rollins/Trio (1958). Sonny’s huge tenor sound soars boldly over a large ensemble of all-stars (Nat Adderly, Clark Terry, Ernie Royal in the trumpets; Roy Haynes drums and Henry Grimes, bass; Ernie Wilkins, arranger/conductor).
“Just Friends” from All The Things You Are: Sonny Meets Hawk  (1962). Coleman Hawkins, first and foremost tenor saxophonist in jazz, was Rollins’ near neighbor and idol while he was growing up on Sugar Hill in Harlem. Together, their interaction is master/acolyte. Hawkins goes first, Rollins comes on obliquely and continunes, jagged. Herbie Hancock on piano.
“Jungoso” from What’s New? (1962). Just Rollins, growling, propelled through 10 minutes by Candido on congas and Bob Cranshaw, who is still Sonny’s bassist.
“Isn’t She Lovely“Â from Easy Living (1977). Composer Stevie Wonder couldn’t have hoped for a more exuberant rendition of his celebration of a new daughter. Tony Williams, drums; George Duke, keyboards. The album boasts two other especially dynamic tracks: “Arroz con Pollo” on which Rollins plays soprano sax — take that, Kenny G! — and “Hear What I’m Saying,” plus Rollin’s beautiful interpretation of the title track.
One piece that will bear repeated listening by jazz aficionados for eons is about to be released: “Sonnymoon for Two,” in the 21 minute exchange Sonny’s had with Ornette Coleman backed by bassist Christian McBride and drummer Roy Haynes, from R’s 80th birthday concert at the Beacon Theater in NYC. It’s on the album Road Shows Vol. 2, dropping Sept. 13.