I went to see the great man live last night. Seeing a giant of the music in the flesh is always an awesome experience but for me seeing Sonny Rollins my favourite jazz musician bar none is well nigh religious experience. Although its well recognized that Sonny is stratopherically better live than on record it always comes as a shock to hear just how great. He was in quintet , 'bone, bass, drums (unfortnately Bob Cranshaw played electric bass a pet hate of mine in Jazz) and the wonderful Stephen Scott on piano. Scott is a real star and though the maestro was righly the focus Scott really was excellent on a version of Tenor Madness. He vocalise like Keith Jarret. The great man' s best recording is Live at the Vanguard and is highly recommended (RVG version )
where was he playing? boy, i must have been asleep to miss this. he is getting quite old now -- so i ma pleased he is still up there with the best. yaah, every sony rollins concert i have attended bob cranshaw has been there... i have always thought he/the instrument doesnt quite fit in, but who am i? was he playing stuff from his latest albums or oldies from "faling in love with jazz"??
many thanks and enjoy...
ken
Posts: 3740 | Location: Hertfordshire, UK | Registered: Thu 31 August 2000
Ken, he was at the Barbican. He played some tunes from latest album "this is what I do" and his usual variety of standards and older songs, can't remember all but Nightingale in Berkeley Sq, Salvador, Tenor Madness, Sweet Leilani, St Thomas (I think). If you want to see some really great live jazz, Chris Potter is playing the Pizza Express Dean St next weekend.
Seen him in Montreal few year's ago! Whorst show I ever seen! The man played only a few notes! At lest he had the ball's to push some of his sideman...such as Renée Rosnes!
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