Sonny Rollins – St. Thomas

Sonny Rollins passed away not long ago, and I hate to admit it, but I only knew him for playing sax on Waiting On A Friend by the Stones. Christian always runs a jazz song on his Sunday Six posts, and I find myself getting excited to hear another jazz song to start my Sunday. This post took me a while to write. I went out of my comfort zone with this one, but it was worth it, and I would like to do more in the future.

Sonny Rollins spent years learning from some of the giants of the era. He was born in New York City in 1930; Rollins came of age during the rise of bebop. By the early 1950s, he had already recorded with legends such as Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, and Charlie Parker. Rollins quickly developed a style of his own. His playing was powerful and melodic. He became known for taking simple melodies and turning them into something completely new through improvisation.

This one was recorded on June 22, 1956, during the sessions for the album Saxophone Colossus. Rollins was backed by pianist Tommy Flanagan, bassist Doug Watkins, and drummer Max Roach. The tune was based on a Caribbean folk melody that Rollins had heard from his mother’s family. His parents were from the Virgin Islands, and the song reflected those roots. The calypso rhythm immediately set it apart from many jazz recordings of the period.

What I’m hearing is Rollins using a melody as a launching point for a series of inventive solos. Max Roach drives the recording while Flanagan and Watkins provide a steady foundation. I’ve noticed in these recordings that the musicians leave plenty of space for one another, which gives tracks a loose and natural feel. It is one of those recordings that sounds new no matter how many times you hear it because it’s unpredictable in the best way.

This song introduced many listeners to Rollins and became his signature tune. More than seventy years later, it is still played by jazz musicians around the world. Like so many great recordings, it takes something simple and familiar and turns it into something you remember. I understand why Sonny Rollins is regarded as one of the true giants of jazz.

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Author: Badfinger (Max)

Power Pop fan, Baseball, Beatles, Alternative music, old movies, and tv show fan. Also anything to do with pop culture in the 60s and 70s... I'm also a songwriter, bass and guitar player. Not the slightest bit interested in politics at all.

15 thoughts on “Sonny Rollins – St. Thomas”

  1. Pingback: Sonny Rollins – St. Thomas – MobsterTiger

    1. I’m ashamed I didn’t know much about him. Of course it’s a benefit into this…now everything is new to me in his catalog. I’ve told people before…I wish I could undiscover other artists…just to find them all over again and listen to them for the first time.

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  5. Pingback: The Song That the Morning Brings – A Unique Title For Me

  6. Thanks for covering him. Having the video is gratifying so we can watch Tommy Flanagan’s fingers dancing on the keys. The whole tune just flows and, despite all the variations, the melody never gets lost. I know that’s what bothers some people about jazz – that the melody may just be a stepping-off point and the listener may lose the flow. This tune stays danceable throughout..which is part of what makes hard bop – and Sonny Rollins in particular – more accessible than some jazz, without getting into the pop sound of some crossover/lounge artists. You might call Rollins a gateway for new jazz listeners. He doesn’t make you work too hard but rewards you if you do.

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    1. I’m so loving this. I told someone else in the comments…yea I’m late to the party but I have wished I could “undiscover” some artists and have the pleasure of listening to them for the first time again with fresh ears…thats what I get with Rollins now…the start and discovery.
      I’ve always respected jazz musicians always… but I never gave it a chance…now I’m rectifying that problem.

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  7. Very good sax playing there. It’s maybe a little long & free-form to be something I’d listen to a lot but it’s quite good and the playing is excellent. I didn’t know he was the guy on ‘Waiting for a friend’…the sax really elevated that song

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  8. Ive been listening to Sonny everyday since he passed away. The live cut you posted is so good. To be able to play music like that is a gift and a gift to hear. One of the coolest human beings ever. Max what about that fretless bass? I think it was fretless. What a treat this was to hear this this morning

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    1. Oh yes…those standup basses…I love them and yea…that is what an electric fretless basses tries to emulate…love that sound.
      I love the small little runs/riffs they do in these songs. They don’t jump out at you until you pay attention.

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