FAREWELL SONNY ROLLINS (September 7, 1930 – May 25, 2026)
Postcard from Sy Johnson to Charles Mingus. L to R: Dizzy Gillespie, Yoshiaki Masuo, Bob Cranshaw, Charles Mingus, David Lee Jr., Sonny Rollins on stage in 1973 [1973, Mingus archives, photo by Sy Johnson]
Tenor saxophonist-bandleader-composer Sonny Rollins was a longtime friend of Charles Mingus, and the two bandleaders could often be found alternating sets at such famed venues as New York’s Five Spot in the 1950s and ‘60s. Several attempts were made over the years to assemble all-star tours involving both legends, though none ultimately came to fruition. The closest attempt came in 1966, when George Wein booked a highly-anticipated European tour for a trio that consisted of Sonny Rollins, Charles Mingus, and Max Roach. Unfortunately, Mingus had to bow out of the engagement at the last minute and was replaced by Jymie Merritt. In 1973, Mingus was a featured guest (along with Dizzy Gillespie) at a Sonny Rollins concert (pictured above). Later in the 1970s, as Mingus’ mobility was restricted by A.L.S., Rollins often called and visited Mingus at the bassist’s new home at Manhattan Plaza. In a show of appreciation, one of the last projects proposed by Mingus before his death (sadly never brought to life) was an ambitious collaboration involving Rollins, the Juilliard String Quartet, Sarah Vaughan, Joni Mitchell, and “a bowing bassist.”
We encourage fans to support the Sonny Rollins Bridge Project, a campaign to rename New York’s Williamsburg Bridge in honor of the late saxophonist, who famously took a three year sabbatical during one of the highest points of his long career to refocus himself by practicing his saxophone for many hours every day atop the pedestrian walkway of the iconic structure. Sign the petition and learn more at SonnyRollinsBridge.net, and petition directly by contacting local officials, such as the NYC Mayor’s Office.
Top Photo:
Postcard from Sy Johnson to Charles Mingus. L to R: Dizzy Gillespie, Yoshiaki Masuo, Bob Cranshaw, Charles Mingus, David Lee Jr., Sonny Rollins on stage in 1973 [Mingus archives, photo by Sy Johnson]
Gallery:
Sonny Rollins, Charles Mingus, Roberto Ungaro, Joan DiVito, and others at Mingus’ Manhattan Plaza apartment [1978, Mingus Archives]
Sonny Rollins, Charles Mingus, Fran Lebowitz, and others at Manhattan Plaza [1978, Mingus Archives]
Sonny Rollins & Sue Mingus at Manhattan Plaza [1978, Mingus Archives]
Postcard from Sonny Rollins to Charles Mingus, 1978 [Mingus Archives]
Five Spot advertisement in The Village Voice, December, 1958 [sourced by Natalie Weiner’s The 1959 Project]
Excerpt from Gene Santoro’s Myself When I Am Real: The Life and Music of Charles Mingus, pg. 197-198.
Excerpt from Brian Priestley’s Mingus: A Critical Biography, pg. 223-224.
Excerpt from Charles Mingus’ 1972 essay “What Is A Jazz Composer?” originally published in the Grammy-nominated liner notes for Let My Children Hear Music, seen here as republished in Charles Mingus: More Than A Fake Book (“Pure Mingus! A must-read!” –Sonny Rollins) [pub. Jazz Workshop, distr. Hal Leonard]
The famous “Great Day In Harlem” photo by Art Kane, 1958, and a candid close-up containing both Mingus and Rollins during the staging. Sonny Rollins was the last surviving musician in this iconic photo.