Jazz legend Sonny Rollins, “saxophone colossus,” dies at 95

Jazz musician Sonny Rollins, known as the “saxophone colossus,” has died at the age of 95.

According to Sky News, citing his representative Terry Hinte, Rollins passed away on Monday at his home in Woodstock, New York State. The cause of death has not been disclosed, although it is noted that in recent years, he had been largely confined to his home due to health problems.

Rollins was considered one of the leading figures of the bebop era and, alongside John Coltrane and Charlie Parker, was among the most influential saxophonists of the 20th century.

Over the course of his career, he released more than 60 albums as a bandleader and collaborated with various musicians, including The Rolling Stones, for whom he recorded improvisations for three tracks on the 1981 album Tattoo You.

Rollins was twice awarded the Grammy Award and was honoured for his contribution to music by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. In 2011, he received the Medal of Arts from U.S. President Barack Obama.

The musician continued performing into his 80s; however, pulmonary fibrosis forced him to end his career, with his last concert taking place in 2012.

By Vugar Khalilov