I've played with all of the heavyweights in the modern jazz, progressive jazz movement. I've been fortunate enough to play with them, a who's who. All of those guys, I've been fortunate enough to have performed with. Sonny Rollins fortunateguyhave share on social
I enjoy playing clubs. I still enjoy the closeness of the nightclub venue. However, after a certain period of time and after playing around some of the clubs in New YorkI felt that jazz should be presented in a more prestigious atmosphere. Sonny Rollins atmosphereclosenessclub share on social
Even the most jingoistic person would have to admit that even American cultural music comes from Europe. That's what classical music is, real European music. Sonny Rollins admitamericanclassical Change image and share on social
But if I didn't have to make money, I would still play my horn. Sonny Rollins hornmakemoney Change image and share on social
What I can say is that for may years jazz musicians had to go to Europe, for instance, to be respected and to be sort of treated not in a discriminatory way. I don't think there is anything controversial about me saying that. This is just a fact. Sonny Rollins controversialdiscriminatoryeurope share on social
I think what we need is a more welcoming mode from the people who put on a hundred million country-western shows on television. How about a monthly jazz show? Sonny Rollins countryhundredjazz Change image and share on social
My mother came from St. Thomas. I heard that melody and all I did was actually adapt it. I made my adaptation of sort of an island traditional melody. It did become sort of my trademark tune. Sonny Rollins adaptadaptationhear Change image and share on social
I have always been a person who is concerned with the dignity of jazz music and the way jazz musicians have been treated and are treated, and the fact that the music has not been given the kind of due that it deserves. Sonny Rollins concerndeservedignity share on social
I think as long as people are around and can hear a record and hear people like Lester Young on a recording, there will always be a great inspiration for somebody to try to create jazz. Sonny Rollins creategreathear Change image and share on social
I have seen great jazz musicians die obscure and drinking themselves to death and not really being able to get any work and working in small, funky jazz clubs. Sonny Rollins clubdeathdie Change image and share on social
