Sonny Rollins, saxophonist and restless genius of jazz, dies at 95
Rollins, one of the greatest saxophonists of all time, played with everyone from Miles Davis to The Rolling Stones.
www.abc.net.auHere’s the latest on Sonny Rollins’ death.
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Sonny Rollins, the legendary jazz tenor saxophonist often called “the Saxophone Colossus,” died on May 25, 2026, at age 95. Publicists and news outlets reported that he passed away at his home in Woodstock, New York, with no specific cause of death publicly disclosed, though he had been largely housebound in recent years due to health issues [CBS News; Guardian; CBC; AP-reported outlets]. [CBS News][The Guardian][CBC]
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The announcement was confirmed by Terri Hinte, Rollins’ publicist, who indicated the news came from his family and the Associated Press reported the location and lack of a stated cause. This news was widely carried by major outlets and followed by obituaries reflecting on his decades-long influence on bebop and modern jazz [CBS News; Guardian; Audacy recap]. [CBS News][The Guardian]
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In memoriam, reviews and tributes highlighted Rollins’ improvisational genius, lyrical tone, and fearless experimentation across more than five decades, including influential work from the 1940s through the 1960s and beyond. He’s remembered as one of the last living giants of bebop and a defining voice in jazz [Guardian; CBS News]. [The Guardian][CBS News]
Would you like a brief summary of Rollins’ major recordings and era-by-era influence, or a short list of notable tributes and obituaries from this week? I can pull key quotes and timeline highlights to help with a tribute or research. [CBS News][The Guardian]