Sonny Rollins

9.7.23

I remember the audition, roughly 30 years ago now: Sonny’s drummer Al Foster (who had also played with Miles Davis and many others) had recommended me. I was told to go up to Carroll Music Studios on 55th Street and wait in the piano player line (which there really was!).

As I nervously awaited my turn, a thought suddenly came, “In the likely case that this is my only chance to play with Sonny Rollins, let me just have fun. Just listen, feel, and comp your a— off!” When the phone rang a few days later, I heard his characteristic voice, “Ok, it seems everybody liked it…” I was thrilled. “I’m going send you a tape of the songs we’re going to play so you can hear how they really go”.

When the cassette arrived in the mail, I immediately popped it into the player - it was all singers. Great singers: Billie, Sarah, Ethel Waters singing “Cabin in the Sky”. This was Sonny’s way of saying, “Don’t play my version, let’s go to the source material, and take it from there”. Invaluable lessons.

When asked what it is like playing with Sonny, I tend to say that I’ve never heard or felt anyone lean into music like that, and to be so on the edge as an improviser. What a schooling I received during those couple of years.

I had a chance to speak with Sonny on the phone during the pandemic while living in Woodstock, NY, not far from his home. Unable to play and spending much time in contemplation and thinking on spiritual matters, he spoke these words to me, “The Universe is good, Kevin!”. A wake up call from a giant.

We spoke a bit more about yoga and other things, and at the end of the call, I said, “Let me know if you need anything Sonny, a sandwich, or anything”. He replied, “A sandwich?! You can bring me some wisdom!”

- On the occasion of Sonny Rollins’ 93rd Birthday