By: ceedee

ceedee — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 19:52:47 +0000

I’m also with you on this,Al. At first I thought that the time taken by your erudite intro would have been too long,but the truth is that Cosby’s ‘schtik’ took MORE time(and needed editing). He could have used your ‘bossa nova’ and ‘Alfie’ examples to underscore universality,and still had time to explain WHY his sound is known worldwide. Maybe the video was intended to take up the slack,but…are we expecting too much?
The phrase “known worldwide” should be used with a large grain of salt,though. Even the most famous of our beloved musicians are unknown to most of the ‘larger audience’ today. Getting belated recognition in the country in which you developed your art may be all Sonny can expect,but not,as you say,all he deserves.
Incidentally,the tributes to Yo-Yo Ma and Barbara Cook were excellent,with the wide range of music that Ma loves(and is influenced by)the most impressive.
Lastly,what I love about Jazz also runs through other personal favorites:
Neil Diamond’s “Solitary Man”,Sondheims’ “Losing My Mind”,Barbara Cook doing “Till There Was You”-with Rollins recording it the next year on The Sound Of Sonny(58′)for Riverside..Yo-Yo Ma’s playing Bach-solo-at it’s most melancholy. Different forms and styles,all with a bluesy undercurrent and an awareness of reaching for something just beyond one’s grasp. When that mood strikes,it’s the sound I want coming from my speakers,whether jazz standard or Bway soundtrack. The sound of Sonny,indeed.

By: Tim Brosnan

Tim Brosnan — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 14:56:52 +0000

Excellent post and observations! I think you nailed it perfectly.

Comments on: Sonny Rollins Kennedy Center Tribute: Inspiring/Disappointing

By: ceedee

By: Tim Brosnan