Sonny Rollins, the “Saxophone Colossus” and the last in a golden era of jazz greats, died on May 25. Aged 95, he was one of a handful of saxophone players who defined the instrument, a pantheon that includes Charlie Parker, Coleman Hawkins and John Coltrane. Rollins’ often marathon, hard-blowing solos earned him a reputation as the greatest jazz saxophone improviser. FRANCE 24’s Samy-Vicente Lacerda looks back on Rollins’ life.
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