1 00:00:15,476 --> 00:00:23,396 Speaker 1: Pushkin. Hey everyone, Today we're continuing our celebration of Black 2 00:00:23,476 --> 00:00:27,876 Speaker 1: Music Month with one of my all time favorites, jazz legend, 3 00:00:28,036 --> 00:00:33,276 Speaker 1: Sonny Rollins. Rollins is dubbed the Saxophone Colossus. He's an 4 00:00:33,276 --> 00:00:37,156 Speaker 1: American tenor and composer who was widely regarded as one 5 00:00:37,156 --> 00:00:41,556 Speaker 1: of the most influential jazz musicians ever, with several awards 6 00:00:41,636 --> 00:00:44,756 Speaker 1: under his belt, a Grammy Award for Lifetime Achievement in 7 00:00:44,796 --> 00:00:47,636 Speaker 1: the National Medal of Arts to name a few. Some 8 00:00:47,756 --> 00:00:52,516 Speaker 1: even venture to call him the greatest living improviser. Sadly, now, 9 00:00:52,596 --> 00:00:55,556 Speaker 1: at ninety one years old, Rollins no longer plays as 10 00:00:55,556 --> 00:00:58,996 Speaker 1: a result of pulmonary fibrosis, but he is able to 11 00:00:59,036 --> 00:01:01,556 Speaker 1: look back at an eight decade career that took him 12 00:01:01,636 --> 00:01:04,156 Speaker 1: all the way from the beginnings of bebop to playing 13 00:01:04,196 --> 00:01:07,996 Speaker 1: with the Rolling Stones and all over the world. On 14 00:01:07,996 --> 00:01:11,036 Speaker 1: today's episode, I spoke to Sonny Rollins by phone about 15 00:01:11,076 --> 00:01:13,596 Speaker 1: one of his first big gigs at eighteen way back 16 00:01:13,636 --> 00:01:17,316 Speaker 1: in nineteen forty nine, playing alongside other jazz icons like 17 00:01:17,396 --> 00:01:21,196 Speaker 1: Bud Powell and Fats Navarro. He also explains why he 18 00:01:21,236 --> 00:01:24,396 Speaker 1: no longer actively listens to music, and for the first 19 00:01:24,396 --> 00:01:31,276 Speaker 1: time ever, how Charlie Parker is the reason he kicked drugs. 20 00:01:31,876 --> 00:01:35,156 Speaker 1: This is broken record Liner notes to the digital age. 21 00:01:35,316 --> 00:01:39,196 Speaker 1: I'm justin Mitchman. Here's my phone conversation with the great 22 00:01:39,676 --> 00:01:43,036 Speaker 1: Sonny Rollins. I want to talk about early in your career. 23 00:01:43,076 --> 00:01:46,116 Speaker 1: You were eighteen years old in nineteen forty nine. That 24 00:01:46,196 --> 00:01:49,636 Speaker 1: was your first professional date and the first that I 25 00:01:49,676 --> 00:01:53,716 Speaker 1: can figure was with Babs Gonzales on Saint Louis Blues. 26 00:01:53,316 --> 00:01:55,076 Speaker 1: That does that seem true? 27 00:01:55,996 --> 00:02:02,996 Speaker 2: I know that I had began recording in I've laid foties, 28 00:02:04,076 --> 00:02:07,556 Speaker 2: so I would imagine that it might be true. I 29 00:02:07,596 --> 00:02:09,596 Speaker 2: can't verify exactly. 30 00:02:10,036 --> 00:02:12,236 Speaker 1: Do you remember Babs Gonzales pretty well? 31 00:02:12,716 --> 00:02:18,836 Speaker 2: Oh? Sure? Very dish is like a character you. Yeah, 32 00:02:18,836 --> 00:02:23,956 Speaker 2: I remember Mads very well. Babs. I liked my playing 33 00:02:23,996 --> 00:02:28,356 Speaker 2: a lot, and I used to make some of these 34 00:02:29,116 --> 00:02:33,196 Speaker 2: gigs that dads Gonzales had pole up a lot of 35 00:02:33,316 --> 00:02:36,996 Speaker 2: resists in the car and we go down to Philly, 36 00:02:37,916 --> 00:02:43,996 Speaker 2: or we go up to Boston or president an immediate area, 37 00:02:44,196 --> 00:02:48,596 Speaker 2: and hey, so I got a chance to play with 38 00:02:48,756 --> 00:02:52,636 Speaker 2: some of my idols. I got a chance to play 39 00:02:52,716 --> 00:02:53,996 Speaker 2: with Faction of Varrow. 40 00:02:54,596 --> 00:02:56,356 Speaker 1: I want to bring that up the same year, when 41 00:02:56,516 --> 00:02:58,796 Speaker 1: you're still eighteen, you got to play on some pretty 42 00:02:58,836 --> 00:03:04,236 Speaker 1: incredible un power records, well, Pouncing with Bud, fifty second 43 00:03:04,276 --> 00:03:06,956 Speaker 1: Street Theme, Dance of the Infidels, I mean, just real, 44 00:03:07,116 --> 00:03:09,636 Speaker 1: real classics, and you're playing on there with Fats, with 45 00:03:09,676 --> 00:03:12,996 Speaker 1: Fats and Navarro, the amazing trump of player. It's insane. 46 00:03:12,916 --> 00:03:16,116 Speaker 2: Yeah, I know it was. I mean, I guess I 47 00:03:16,196 --> 00:03:20,636 Speaker 2: had too many dogs in my head to even stop 48 00:03:20,716 --> 00:03:26,116 Speaker 2: and realize what I was doing. Yeah, oh, but you know, 49 00:03:26,316 --> 00:03:29,556 Speaker 2: so this is I credit bad. 50 00:03:29,636 --> 00:03:33,796 Speaker 3: But and Jalous were doing that with getting me on 51 00:03:33,996 --> 00:03:38,636 Speaker 3: a lot of jobs with uh Fast of all, I think, 52 00:03:39,396 --> 00:03:41,236 Speaker 3: I'm sorry, I can't remember. 53 00:03:40,956 --> 00:03:44,996 Speaker 2: Some of me. Some other the the best players around 54 00:03:45,196 --> 00:03:46,636 Speaker 2: played with some. 55 00:03:46,716 --> 00:03:49,516 Speaker 3: Of these jobs, and I was a young, young. 56 00:03:49,356 --> 00:03:53,676 Speaker 2: Pet and my having an opportunity to play with them 57 00:03:53,916 --> 00:03:56,436 Speaker 2: was tremendous. 58 00:03:55,916 --> 00:03:58,396 Speaker 1: At eighteen playing with people like Bud, Poal and Fat 59 00:03:58,476 --> 00:04:00,436 Speaker 1: and Navar. Were you were you nervous at all? 60 00:04:03,276 --> 00:04:03,596 Speaker 2: Well? 61 00:04:03,636 --> 00:04:11,956 Speaker 3: I was too stupid to be nervous, So I always 62 00:04:12,036 --> 00:04:16,396 Speaker 3: felt that if they wanted me there, then I'll just 63 00:04:16,556 --> 00:04:20,716 Speaker 3: you know that I should be there. I was never really. 64 00:04:20,436 --> 00:04:28,236 Speaker 2: One of these guys. Was felt intimidated. I just felt well, 65 00:04:28,276 --> 00:04:30,836 Speaker 2: look if they want me to read, and I'm just 66 00:04:31,076 --> 00:04:34,276 Speaker 2: you know, I guess I'm supposed to be here. So 67 00:04:34,316 --> 00:04:36,516 Speaker 2: it wasn't bad. So I went on and did what 68 00:04:36,676 --> 00:04:42,556 Speaker 2: I did. But it was certainly not on the level 69 00:04:42,636 --> 00:04:46,276 Speaker 2: of JJ Johnson and all of these people that I 70 00:04:46,316 --> 00:04:50,956 Speaker 2: was playing with when I was a teenager, right, I. 71 00:04:50,916 --> 00:04:53,676 Speaker 1: Mean Roy Haynes, who we thankfully, just like you, we 72 00:04:53,756 --> 00:04:56,076 Speaker 1: still have around these days. He was on those Bud 73 00:04:56,076 --> 00:04:59,436 Speaker 1: Powell sessions as well, the drummer Roy Haynes. Do you 74 00:04:59,436 --> 00:05:02,036 Speaker 1: ever have the urge to call someone like that these 75 00:05:02,116 --> 00:05:05,436 Speaker 1: days and just sort of confirm that these things actually happened. 76 00:05:07,716 --> 00:05:14,316 Speaker 2: I called Roy upon his birthdays, and I always call 77 00:05:14,476 --> 00:05:17,996 Speaker 2: him up and we talk about things that we can 78 00:05:18,076 --> 00:05:22,956 Speaker 2: both remember. So Roy, I know from I know Roy. 79 00:05:23,356 --> 00:05:25,756 Speaker 2: We know. We were a bunch of young kids wanting 80 00:05:25,836 --> 00:05:32,116 Speaker 2: to play music. And Roy moved up in our neighborhood, 81 00:05:32,556 --> 00:05:36,556 Speaker 2: up on sugar Hill they called it. We all knew him. 82 00:05:36,556 --> 00:05:38,556 Speaker 2: And then Roy was playing with Leicester. 83 00:05:38,716 --> 00:05:41,236 Speaker 1: Yell, you must have loved Lester. I mean, I can 84 00:05:41,276 --> 00:05:43,516 Speaker 1: imagine Lester must have been an inspiration for you. 85 00:05:44,236 --> 00:05:47,196 Speaker 2: Lester Young was God, you know, and it was so 86 00:05:47,476 --> 00:05:53,316 Speaker 2: good to get to know Lester Yell and to know 87 00:05:53,436 --> 00:05:57,396 Speaker 2: that Lester Young liked to me because we used to 88 00:05:57,436 --> 00:06:03,836 Speaker 2: be up in Leicester's apartment at the Alvin Hotel up 89 00:06:03,876 --> 00:06:08,996 Speaker 2: one Broadway, and guys would be let's look at the 90 00:06:09,316 --> 00:06:14,156 Speaker 2: if for some guys coming musicians. He would call down 91 00:06:14,196 --> 00:06:18,436 Speaker 2: and tell a guy, no, say I'm not home. So 92 00:06:18,676 --> 00:06:21,156 Speaker 2: he you know, a lot of people came to see him, 93 00:06:21,156 --> 00:06:25,636 Speaker 2: but he didn't avide everybody, and he liked me. He 94 00:06:25,836 --> 00:06:29,036 Speaker 2: liked me and Matt Roach used to come out there 95 00:06:29,836 --> 00:06:37,396 Speaker 2: and I got a great friendship with the Great Prayers 96 00:06:38,276 --> 00:06:42,916 Speaker 2: and that gave me a lot of validation that I 97 00:06:43,076 --> 00:06:45,316 Speaker 2: was doing something right. Yeah. 98 00:06:45,396 --> 00:06:48,756 Speaker 1: Absolutely. I'm realizing Roy has a birthday coming up in 99 00:06:49,156 --> 00:06:50,876 Speaker 1: a few days here, so I guess you'll be probably 100 00:06:50,916 --> 00:06:51,316 Speaker 1: calling him. 101 00:06:51,356 --> 00:06:54,836 Speaker 2: Huh oh, yeah, I didn't know it was coming up here. 102 00:06:54,916 --> 00:07:01,596 Speaker 2: I'll find out about it and I will definitely call him, definitely. 103 00:07:01,796 --> 00:07:05,556 Speaker 1: Yeah, yeah, man, Roy will be twenty ninety seven. You're 104 00:07:05,676 --> 00:07:08,036 Speaker 1: ninety one. Now, how long ago does an experience like 105 00:07:08,116 --> 00:07:10,636 Speaker 1: that feel it this point? Like, does it even feel 106 00:07:10,676 --> 00:07:12,156 Speaker 1: like it was in the same lifetime? 107 00:07:12,676 --> 00:07:17,876 Speaker 2: Well? Yes and no it uh, you know, there was 108 00:07:18,476 --> 00:07:23,636 Speaker 2: no in a life that's a tough tough question, because 109 00:07:24,396 --> 00:07:29,316 Speaker 2: lifetime means, you know, the last week could be a 110 00:07:29,356 --> 00:07:33,916 Speaker 2: different lifetime in a way of speaking, in a way 111 00:07:34,156 --> 00:07:39,236 Speaker 2: it's a different yes, but still it was a lifetime 112 00:07:39,276 --> 00:07:42,556 Speaker 2: which I was involved in, so it's not that different. 113 00:07:43,276 --> 00:07:47,036 Speaker 2: But yes, it was different in so many ways, different 114 00:07:47,116 --> 00:07:52,916 Speaker 2: musicians around, different venues around. You know, lifetime is a 115 00:07:52,996 --> 00:08:00,356 Speaker 2: difficult word since I believe in reincarnation. I accept reincarmation. 116 00:08:00,676 --> 00:08:03,836 Speaker 2: So maybe when you say it was a different lifetime, 117 00:08:04,556 --> 00:08:10,156 Speaker 2: it vends up too many contradictory things to be able 118 00:08:10,276 --> 00:08:12,276 Speaker 2: to answer that precisely. 119 00:08:12,556 --> 00:08:14,156 Speaker 1: No, I see what you mean. I see what you mean. 120 00:08:14,756 --> 00:08:17,276 Speaker 1: I was watching an interview did the other night in 121 00:08:17,356 --> 00:08:20,156 Speaker 1: nineteen sixty two on Ralph Gleason's show that I Used 122 00:08:20,156 --> 00:08:24,076 Speaker 1: to Have Jazz Casual. You were the same age during 123 00:08:24,116 --> 00:08:26,716 Speaker 1: the filming of that that I Am. Now you're thirty two, 124 00:08:27,316 --> 00:08:31,596 Speaker 1: and you were referring to yourself as old and not taping. 125 00:08:32,076 --> 00:08:34,356 Speaker 1: You refer to yourself as kind of like an old cat. Now, 126 00:08:34,916 --> 00:08:38,996 Speaker 1: I'm curious what advice you might give yourself at thirty two. 127 00:08:39,196 --> 00:08:45,436 Speaker 2: Now. You know, I've made so many mistakes in life. 128 00:08:45,556 --> 00:08:48,756 Speaker 2: I've done some good things in life. 129 00:08:48,516 --> 00:08:51,996 Speaker 3: You know, I was learning, which I was a learning experience. 130 00:08:52,836 --> 00:08:58,636 Speaker 2: I think I was born a fairly positive person. Used 131 00:08:58,676 --> 00:09:01,396 Speaker 2: to call me the jesture. Well, no, I was your 132 00:09:01,436 --> 00:09:05,676 Speaker 2: little boy so and playing. So I think I had 133 00:09:05,876 --> 00:09:11,596 Speaker 2: a positive personality all through my life. You know, that's 134 00:09:11,636 --> 00:09:15,876 Speaker 2: what we think, and it's good, but things happened to us. 135 00:09:15,916 --> 00:09:20,876 Speaker 2: We get tested in life, and it's a long trip. 136 00:09:21,476 --> 00:09:21,756 Speaker 1: You know. 137 00:09:21,836 --> 00:09:28,396 Speaker 2: And I've known so many people that didn't make it 138 00:09:29,116 --> 00:09:34,636 Speaker 2: all the way and ended up in terribo situations. I 139 00:09:34,716 --> 00:09:37,676 Speaker 2: was talking about my friend. There is a great drummer 140 00:09:37,716 --> 00:09:42,476 Speaker 2: from Chicago named Aike Day. They played with that day 141 00:09:42,556 --> 00:09:46,636 Speaker 2: when I was in Chicago Reagon nineteen forty nine. He 142 00:09:46,836 --> 00:09:51,436 Speaker 2: was strung out on drugs and I was star sort 143 00:09:51,476 --> 00:09:54,356 Speaker 2: of strung out on drugs at the time. So that 144 00:09:54,556 --> 00:09:58,756 Speaker 2: was a different, different world. But it was one of 145 00:09:58,836 --> 00:10:03,716 Speaker 2: those rivers I had to cross, so that it's hard 146 00:10:03,796 --> 00:10:06,916 Speaker 2: to look back, you know. I made a lot of 147 00:10:06,996 --> 00:10:11,436 Speaker 2: mistakes in life. I did some things in life which 148 00:10:11,516 --> 00:10:15,756 Speaker 2: I like my music. I was already trying to get better. 149 00:10:16,836 --> 00:10:19,516 Speaker 2: But as I said, I was a guy that wasn't 150 00:10:19,556 --> 00:10:25,556 Speaker 2: afraid of trying to do something and playing with superior 151 00:10:25,716 --> 00:10:30,076 Speaker 2: musicians and all that. Because you know, I thought that 152 00:10:30,196 --> 00:10:32,676 Speaker 2: I should be there. They wanted me to be there. 153 00:10:33,756 --> 00:10:35,796 Speaker 2: We have to learn we have to try to be 154 00:10:36,036 --> 00:10:38,516 Speaker 2: out the Golden rule when all that stuff got to 155 00:10:38,596 --> 00:10:41,276 Speaker 2: try to do it. We don't get it now, we 156 00:10:41,556 --> 00:10:45,196 Speaker 2: have to try it again. Like it said in the 157 00:10:45,356 --> 00:10:49,996 Speaker 2: TV commercial, pay me now or pay me later. 158 00:10:53,556 --> 00:10:55,396 Speaker 1: I'm quote I'm gonna start quoting that. 159 00:10:56,196 --> 00:10:59,676 Speaker 2: Yeah, man, you gotta get it right. You can't do 160 00:10:59,916 --> 00:11:02,876 Speaker 2: anything and get away with it. You gotta get it right. 161 00:11:03,996 --> 00:11:06,156 Speaker 2: You don't get it right now, you're gonna get happy 162 00:11:06,236 --> 00:11:10,636 Speaker 2: get it right later because you reap. But to so see, 163 00:11:10,716 --> 00:11:15,476 Speaker 2: some of these things are very important to remember that 164 00:11:15,636 --> 00:11:20,116 Speaker 2: what life is aboved life is to find out the 165 00:11:20,236 --> 00:11:25,916 Speaker 2: reason for life? What does it mean? And that goes 166 00:11:25,996 --> 00:11:29,476 Speaker 2: on and on. Man who knows how many lives we 167 00:11:29,636 --> 00:11:33,396 Speaker 2: have to live could read a brilliant Tridian who knows. 168 00:11:33,476 --> 00:11:36,916 Speaker 2: I don't know, but I know that you can't get 169 00:11:36,916 --> 00:11:42,676 Speaker 2: it generally in one lifetime. Some people are really advanced 170 00:11:42,756 --> 00:11:45,716 Speaker 2: that I've read in life. I say, wow, their journey. 171 00:11:46,396 --> 00:11:49,876 Speaker 2: They know a lot more than I do than some people. 172 00:11:50,076 --> 00:11:54,276 Speaker 2: I'm ahead of some other people in their journey. I say, wow, 173 00:11:54,716 --> 00:11:58,636 Speaker 2: I've learned some things. This guy hasn't learned, or this 174 00:11:58,796 --> 00:12:03,556 Speaker 2: girl I even learned. All of these things mean something. 175 00:12:04,636 --> 00:12:06,476 Speaker 1: We're going to take a quick break here, but we'll 176 00:12:06,476 --> 00:12:13,596 Speaker 1: be back with more from Sonny Rollins. We're back with 177 00:12:13,636 --> 00:12:16,996 Speaker 1: more from Sonny Rollins. You know, I'm thinking about what 178 00:12:17,196 --> 00:12:20,796 Speaker 1: you've sewed musically, and that certainly is more and more 179 00:12:20,836 --> 00:12:23,916 Speaker 1: than I think many people, you know, whatever, contribute to 180 00:12:23,956 --> 00:12:26,516 Speaker 1: one lifetime. And I was thinking about the year particular, 181 00:12:26,676 --> 00:12:30,076 Speaker 1: nineteen fifty six for you. That year you played a 182 00:12:30,156 --> 00:12:32,876 Speaker 1: date with Miles Davis that included Charlie Parker. Do you 183 00:12:32,916 --> 00:12:38,476 Speaker 1: remember that date? Oh yeah, Collector's Items, Collector's Items exactly. 184 00:12:39,156 --> 00:12:41,836 Speaker 1: You played Serpent's Tooth. Did you interact with Bird much 185 00:12:41,836 --> 00:12:42,436 Speaker 1: on that session? 186 00:12:43,116 --> 00:12:48,356 Speaker 2: Well, Bird was another one of my gruges, so of 187 00:12:48,476 --> 00:12:51,556 Speaker 2: course there was a lot of other some other things 188 00:12:51,596 --> 00:12:57,716 Speaker 2: happen on that particular session. And well, I guess I 189 00:12:57,876 --> 00:13:01,156 Speaker 2: might as were old say it. At that time, I 190 00:13:01,396 --> 00:13:05,796 Speaker 2: was still on drugs. I hadn't seen Charlie Riff Parker 191 00:13:05,876 --> 00:13:08,996 Speaker 2: or ours, he said, said Sarah. Sonny said. 192 00:13:09,236 --> 00:13:09,996 Speaker 3: I told him. 193 00:13:10,436 --> 00:13:12,716 Speaker 2: I think he said, yeah, how you doing. I think 194 00:13:12,756 --> 00:13:16,236 Speaker 2: he meant that I bet my life together, And I 195 00:13:16,316 --> 00:13:20,636 Speaker 2: tell him, oh, yeah, yeah, Mandham, I'm doing good, you know. 196 00:13:21,076 --> 00:13:25,756 Speaker 2: So I lied to him. I wasn't doing good. And 197 00:13:25,836 --> 00:13:29,756 Speaker 2: some guys in the band later on during the session 198 00:13:30,636 --> 00:13:33,476 Speaker 2: they read it on me. They said, oh, man, Sonny, 199 00:13:33,996 --> 00:13:38,116 Speaker 2: Sonny was getting high with this last night. So anyway, 200 00:13:38,236 --> 00:13:41,996 Speaker 2: later on the session, after he found out that I 201 00:13:42,156 --> 00:13:45,636 Speaker 2: had lied to him, I had noticed something in him 202 00:13:46,156 --> 00:13:51,356 Speaker 2: had destroyed. He was had desponded. He was to know 203 00:13:51,436 --> 00:13:55,236 Speaker 2: that I had and not just me. Then I realized 204 00:13:55,316 --> 00:13:59,876 Speaker 2: maln Bird was so involved with all of the young 205 00:14:00,996 --> 00:14:07,436 Speaker 2: musicians trying to follow his music in his lifestyle was 206 00:14:07,516 --> 00:14:11,876 Speaker 2: killing him. The drug Yeah, knowing that all these young 207 00:14:11,916 --> 00:14:15,996 Speaker 2: guys were using drugs, it worth killing him, It worth 208 00:14:16,076 --> 00:14:19,956 Speaker 2: killing you. And I saw that at this session. So 209 00:14:21,716 --> 00:14:25,596 Speaker 2: you know what I said, Okay, that's it. I said 210 00:14:25,636 --> 00:14:28,196 Speaker 2: this to myself, I'm going to get off of drugs 211 00:14:28,636 --> 00:14:33,356 Speaker 2: and still Charlie Parker that he shouldn't be so down 212 00:14:34,076 --> 00:14:40,716 Speaker 2: because some people are following his positive effect on their life, 213 00:14:40,876 --> 00:14:44,356 Speaker 2: not the negative effect. And that's when I made my 214 00:14:44,516 --> 00:14:47,396 Speaker 2: decision to get off of drugs. 215 00:14:47,956 --> 00:14:49,916 Speaker 1: Wow, I didn't know that. I had no idea. 216 00:14:50,676 --> 00:14:54,196 Speaker 2: Yeah, well that's part of this life that I'm living here. 217 00:14:55,076 --> 00:14:59,756 Speaker 2: So I say, you know what I got off of drugs. 218 00:15:00,476 --> 00:15:02,556 Speaker 2: I didn't know whether they need to know all of that, 219 00:15:02,636 --> 00:15:03,956 Speaker 2: but it wasn't losing. 220 00:15:04,476 --> 00:15:06,436 Speaker 1: It's very fascinating. Did you ever get a chance to 221 00:15:06,476 --> 00:15:08,676 Speaker 1: tell Charlie that you got clean? O? 222 00:15:09,156 --> 00:15:13,436 Speaker 2: Well, what happened was this. There was a drug rehabilitation 223 00:15:14,596 --> 00:15:19,076 Speaker 2: place in Lexington, Kentucky. It was the first place where 224 00:15:20,236 --> 00:15:23,876 Speaker 2: every It was like the Betty Ford Clinic before the 225 00:15:23,956 --> 00:15:27,116 Speaker 2: Betty Ford Clinic, and a lot of people were there, 226 00:15:27,356 --> 00:15:30,676 Speaker 2: people that were into drugs, and movie stars were there. 227 00:15:31,116 --> 00:15:37,036 Speaker 2: We were treated like patients, not as criminals anyway. 228 00:15:37,236 --> 00:15:39,876 Speaker 3: So I was there for the cure. 229 00:15:40,076 --> 00:15:44,876 Speaker 2: The cure was I been four months. I left Lexington 230 00:15:45,036 --> 00:15:50,396 Speaker 2: in five five fifty five. That's when I was this 231 00:15:50,676 --> 00:15:54,076 Speaker 2: charge or whatever you want to call it. But the 232 00:15:54,836 --> 00:16:01,156 Speaker 2: unfortunate maybe so maybe not. A part of it was 233 00:16:01,236 --> 00:16:08,396 Speaker 2: that Charlie Parker passed away one month before I got 234 00:16:08,436 --> 00:16:14,796 Speaker 2: out of Lexington, Kentucky. So I never got the chance 235 00:16:14,876 --> 00:16:18,796 Speaker 2: to which I was waiting to do growing up your 236 00:16:18,836 --> 00:16:23,436 Speaker 2: berth mad him straight, Charlie m straight man. I would 237 00:16:23,476 --> 00:16:26,716 Speaker 2: convince him or he would know that I was so 238 00:16:26,876 --> 00:16:32,436 Speaker 2: anxious because I was so ashamed of lying to him. 239 00:16:32,636 --> 00:16:36,636 Speaker 2: Earlier on this record, Dag he just recalled. So I 240 00:16:36,756 --> 00:16:40,316 Speaker 2: was so anxious for this to happen. I would be 241 00:16:40,356 --> 00:16:43,596 Speaker 2: able to see him and convince him that I was 242 00:16:44,076 --> 00:16:49,516 Speaker 2: that I wasn't going to disgrace him anymore. But unfortunately 243 00:16:50,556 --> 00:16:51,916 Speaker 2: that would denied me. 244 00:16:52,676 --> 00:16:57,196 Speaker 3: However, I do believe in things like. 245 00:16:57,316 --> 00:17:01,196 Speaker 2: The afterlife and all that stuff, So I think Charlie 246 00:17:01,196 --> 00:17:08,436 Speaker 2: Parker knew wherever he was at that. Oh Sonny got 247 00:17:08,476 --> 00:17:09,116 Speaker 2: my message. 248 00:17:09,716 --> 00:17:13,076 Speaker 1: Yeah, no, definitely. And you know, really, when you think 249 00:17:13,076 --> 00:17:15,916 Speaker 1: about it too, it's pretty great timing that you got 250 00:17:15,916 --> 00:17:18,356 Speaker 1: clean in fifty five, because I mean, in fifty six 251 00:17:18,436 --> 00:17:22,516 Speaker 1: your career is really insane. Your output I'm thinking about. 252 00:17:22,556 --> 00:17:25,836 Speaker 1: You know, you do Saxophone Colossus tenor Madness, you do 253 00:17:26,956 --> 00:17:30,396 Speaker 1: Brilliant Corners with The Loneus, You do a lot of 254 00:17:30,436 --> 00:17:34,076 Speaker 1: your work with Max Roach and Clifford Brown Quintet. Just 255 00:17:34,116 --> 00:17:36,716 Speaker 1: really incredible stuff is happening. I wanted to ask you 256 00:17:36,836 --> 00:17:40,796 Speaker 1: that Brilliant Corners album with The Loneus Monk. That record 257 00:17:41,036 --> 00:17:42,676 Speaker 1: really blows my mind when I listened to it. It's 258 00:17:42,676 --> 00:17:47,156 Speaker 1: like spectacularly complex, especially that title track. Do you remember 259 00:17:47,276 --> 00:17:50,116 Speaker 1: was that a tough session? A couple of sessions. 260 00:17:51,396 --> 00:17:54,756 Speaker 2: Yeah, very tough session. It was a little different than 261 00:17:54,796 --> 00:17:58,356 Speaker 2: the music that Monk could play before, as I remember, 262 00:17:59,916 --> 00:18:04,116 Speaker 2: tough music, tough music. But everybody likes that record a lot. 263 00:18:04,796 --> 00:18:10,156 Speaker 2: You already mentioned mad when they're talking about monks accomplishments. 264 00:18:10,476 --> 00:18:12,716 Speaker 1: Yeah, did you enjoy playing on it? 265 00:18:13,156 --> 00:18:16,396 Speaker 2: I think so. I think so. It was a hard 266 00:18:16,516 --> 00:18:20,516 Speaker 2: record to make, you know, it was hard. Everybody didn't 267 00:18:21,036 --> 00:18:25,996 Speaker 2: get it the first first go round, but yeah, sure 268 00:18:26,236 --> 00:18:29,796 Speaker 2: was playing with Mark. Playing with Mark was it was 269 00:18:29,796 --> 00:18:33,836 Speaker 2: a celestial experience. Whatever came out of it, and I 270 00:18:33,916 --> 00:18:37,996 Speaker 2: had that experience. And everybody liked that record a great deal. 271 00:18:39,036 --> 00:18:41,556 Speaker 1: I know. Ernie Henry, another tenor player. He ended up 272 00:18:41,636 --> 00:18:43,836 Speaker 1: leaving I think one of the sessions, and then Clark 273 00:18:43,916 --> 00:18:46,276 Speaker 1: Terry came in to sort of play. Did you ever 274 00:18:46,276 --> 00:18:46,996 Speaker 1: feel like leaving? 275 00:18:47,716 --> 00:18:50,876 Speaker 2: Oh no, no, no, maybe if they kicked me out, 276 00:18:50,996 --> 00:18:52,796 Speaker 2: but I'm not leaving on my own. 277 00:18:52,916 --> 00:18:54,116 Speaker 1: No, you're not quitting. 278 00:18:55,236 --> 00:18:59,596 Speaker 3: Oh, they'd have to show me the door. 279 00:19:00,516 --> 00:19:02,836 Speaker 2: There was a lot of great people on that record. 280 00:19:02,876 --> 00:19:08,116 Speaker 2: There was Oscar Pettiford was there, Max Rhoades, I believe, 281 00:19:08,636 --> 00:19:13,956 Speaker 2: and played the chilette. I forget. Everybody that was under 282 00:19:14,036 --> 00:19:18,596 Speaker 2: regulars from it. Was great. It was a little different 283 00:19:18,676 --> 00:19:21,316 Speaker 2: than some of the music he had done before, so 284 00:19:21,476 --> 00:19:24,476 Speaker 2: it was quite a quite a landmark. 285 00:19:25,196 --> 00:19:28,196 Speaker 1: Yeah, can you tell me about playing in the Max 286 00:19:28,316 --> 00:19:31,956 Speaker 1: Roach Clifford Brown quintet with yourself and George Morrow and 287 00:19:32,316 --> 00:19:34,836 Speaker 1: Richie Powell. It sounds to me like you guys had 288 00:19:34,996 --> 00:19:37,796 Speaker 1: incredible chemistry. Did it feel that way to you at 289 00:19:37,796 --> 00:19:38,116 Speaker 1: the time? 290 00:19:38,276 --> 00:19:40,716 Speaker 2: Of course I had played with Mat for a couple 291 00:19:40,716 --> 00:19:47,116 Speaker 2: of times in New York, but when that was uh, 292 00:19:48,196 --> 00:19:52,396 Speaker 2: the band was Clifford and he it was different. Was 293 00:19:52,476 --> 00:19:55,436 Speaker 2: right now I was doing more. I think I played 294 00:19:55,436 --> 00:19:59,396 Speaker 2: as a side man or something on some record Max 295 00:19:59,516 --> 00:20:03,236 Speaker 2: Roads in New York. But when I played with the band, 296 00:20:03,356 --> 00:20:06,796 Speaker 2: that band, it was really I don't know. I'm glad 297 00:20:06,836 --> 00:20:14,076 Speaker 2: it sounded like that because I had a great experience 298 00:20:14,156 --> 00:20:18,396 Speaker 2: playing with Clifford Brown, and comfort was such a straight 299 00:20:19,676 --> 00:20:22,716 Speaker 2: a straight up guy with such a straight up player, 300 00:20:23,876 --> 00:20:27,356 Speaker 2: one of the mess players as we know. When I 301 00:20:27,476 --> 00:20:30,836 Speaker 2: look back today and I talk to different guys, all 302 00:20:30,916 --> 00:20:34,596 Speaker 2: these young guys, Clifford Brown was their favorite trumpet player. 303 00:20:35,196 --> 00:20:38,516 Speaker 2: So he was quite a guy. But he was also 304 00:20:39,996 --> 00:20:43,716 Speaker 2: a great person. And I learned a lot from Clifford 305 00:20:43,756 --> 00:20:47,436 Speaker 2: because Clifford was playing all of this music, but he 306 00:20:47,636 --> 00:20:51,836 Speaker 2: was not a guy that was messing around with drugs. 307 00:20:52,436 --> 00:20:57,196 Speaker 2: He wasn't a cno. So I said to myself, wow, man, 308 00:20:57,356 --> 00:21:01,316 Speaker 2: listened to all this music he can play and he's 309 00:21:01,396 --> 00:21:05,276 Speaker 2: not had nothing to do with his personal life, So 310 00:21:05,796 --> 00:21:10,436 Speaker 2: you don't have to be using drugs, drinking a lot 311 00:21:11,036 --> 00:21:14,316 Speaker 2: and even gotten bad to play as much music as 312 00:21:14,316 --> 00:21:19,436 Speaker 2: he did. And that was inspirational to me and I 313 00:21:19,756 --> 00:21:24,356 Speaker 2: really learned for that. He said, Wow, man, if Clifton 314 00:21:24,436 --> 00:21:27,396 Speaker 2: should do it, Man, all his music he's playing, I 315 00:21:27,436 --> 00:21:30,756 Speaker 2: can do it. I don't need drugs to play. So 316 00:21:30,956 --> 00:21:33,556 Speaker 2: he was a grand We were good friends. I mean, 317 00:21:34,436 --> 00:21:38,716 Speaker 2: you know, I was really close after he passed away. 318 00:21:38,836 --> 00:21:43,876 Speaker 2: When when we were playing in the band, and sometimes 319 00:21:45,076 --> 00:21:51,756 Speaker 2: I had channel Clifford, I said, Clifford, man, what would 320 00:21:51,996 --> 00:21:54,516 Speaker 2: what should we do right here? I mean I talked 321 00:21:54,516 --> 00:21:58,636 Speaker 2: to him like that about the music and then he'd 322 00:21:59,236 --> 00:22:03,476 Speaker 2: answer me. And that went on for a while run 323 00:22:04,116 --> 00:22:08,116 Speaker 2: before that band broke up. Max goot I did trumpet plays, 324 00:22:08,196 --> 00:22:12,396 Speaker 2: of course, but that happened for a while and then 325 00:22:13,396 --> 00:22:18,116 Speaker 2: after a while I had stopped channeling Clifford and let 326 00:22:18,196 --> 00:22:22,556 Speaker 2: him go on on his journey his life journey, but 327 00:22:22,716 --> 00:22:27,316 Speaker 2: I channeled him for a long time after he passed, 328 00:22:28,156 --> 00:22:30,996 Speaker 2: and then you know, and we had to play the 329 00:22:31,116 --> 00:22:34,436 Speaker 2: same music, a lot of the same music. 330 00:22:35,636 --> 00:22:38,236 Speaker 1: We'll be right back with more from Sonny Rollins after 331 00:22:38,516 --> 00:22:44,676 Speaker 1: a quick break. We're back with the rest of my 332 00:22:44,756 --> 00:22:48,876 Speaker 1: conversation with Sonny Rollins. Do you remember where you were 333 00:22:48,956 --> 00:22:51,956 Speaker 1: when you found out Clifford and Richie Powell passed away 334 00:22:51,956 --> 00:22:52,956 Speaker 1: in that car accident. 335 00:22:54,076 --> 00:23:01,316 Speaker 2: Well, the brand was in uh Brownie and Uh Richie 336 00:23:01,516 --> 00:23:05,876 Speaker 2: were in Philadelphia where they lived. Richie lived in willowgro 337 00:23:06,316 --> 00:23:11,756 Speaker 2: sort of suburb Brownie was in. So we had been 338 00:23:11,796 --> 00:23:13,676 Speaker 2: on the road to ben have been the road. So 339 00:23:14,036 --> 00:23:16,876 Speaker 2: we had a low time off before we went. I 340 00:23:16,876 --> 00:23:19,836 Speaker 2: think they we're going out to California, but on the 341 00:23:19,876 --> 00:23:23,556 Speaker 2: way we were going to play in Chicago. So anyway, 342 00:23:24,076 --> 00:23:29,076 Speaker 2: the days we had off, Marx and myself came to 343 00:23:29,196 --> 00:23:32,956 Speaker 2: New York and Georgia Morrow came to New York. You know. 344 00:23:33,596 --> 00:23:42,156 Speaker 2: The next job was Chicago, and we left Chiclo travel 345 00:23:42,316 --> 00:23:48,636 Speaker 2: by car, and Brownie and Richie Powell left Philadelphia Tavern 346 00:23:48,756 --> 00:23:53,156 Speaker 2: on the Pennsylvania turnbake by car, Mark Say and I 347 00:23:53,516 --> 00:23:57,396 Speaker 2: and George Margutten. We got to Chicago, and we, you know, 348 00:23:57,556 --> 00:24:01,876 Speaker 2: waiting around there. I remember Miles was playing at a 349 00:24:01,956 --> 00:24:06,676 Speaker 2: club right down the street on sixty thirty Street. So 350 00:24:06,876 --> 00:24:12,076 Speaker 2: while we were waiting for cliff to arrive into Carlo, 351 00:24:12,836 --> 00:24:17,036 Speaker 2: we got the bad news. It was a soccer and 352 00:24:17,036 --> 00:24:21,276 Speaker 2: I mean we were quiet like babies, and there was 353 00:24:21,436 --> 00:24:27,276 Speaker 2: you know, there was a big event because everybody loved Brownie. Yeah, 354 00:24:27,476 --> 00:24:31,076 Speaker 2: I mean Richie too, but Brownie was you know, Brownie 355 00:24:31,156 --> 00:24:40,156 Speaker 2: was the leader and had gotten more accolades and Richie, 356 00:24:40,356 --> 00:24:42,556 Speaker 2: you know, Richie was served, but she. 357 00:24:42,676 --> 00:24:43,876 Speaker 1: Was making his name at the time. 358 00:24:43,916 --> 00:24:46,036 Speaker 3: Really, huh, he was making his name. 359 00:24:45,876 --> 00:24:46,436 Speaker 2: At the time. 360 00:24:47,116 --> 00:24:49,836 Speaker 1: Incredible playing Brownie had made his name. 361 00:24:49,916 --> 00:24:50,236 Speaker 2: Really. 362 00:24:50,716 --> 00:24:53,556 Speaker 1: Did you see Bud Powell in the sort of aftermath 363 00:24:53,556 --> 00:24:54,796 Speaker 1: of that or ever get a chance to talk with 364 00:24:54,956 --> 00:24:57,116 Speaker 1: Bud Powell, who was Richie Powell's brother. Do you know 365 00:24:57,116 --> 00:24:57,756 Speaker 1: how he took that? 366 00:24:58,356 --> 00:25:02,236 Speaker 2: I don't know how he took that note? No, I 367 00:25:02,276 --> 00:25:02,636 Speaker 2: don't know. 368 00:25:03,036 --> 00:25:06,876 Speaker 1: Did you feel like that band had more yet to do? 369 00:25:07,796 --> 00:25:11,196 Speaker 2: I think so? We think you didn't know. Clifford and 370 00:25:11,276 --> 00:25:14,636 Speaker 2: now I used to practice together all the time, and 371 00:25:15,116 --> 00:25:20,396 Speaker 2: besides the gigs, but we were trying to get closer, 372 00:25:21,076 --> 00:25:26,236 Speaker 2: you know, as to musicians playing a saxophone and trumpet. 373 00:25:26,316 --> 00:25:29,716 Speaker 2: So we were trying to get closer, trying to get 374 00:25:29,796 --> 00:25:34,796 Speaker 2: tighter with our things. We had to play ensemble and everything, 375 00:25:34,836 --> 00:25:37,596 Speaker 2: and I was new in the bands. I was trying 376 00:25:37,596 --> 00:25:41,676 Speaker 2: to learn the book and all of this stuff. But 377 00:25:42,396 --> 00:25:47,796 Speaker 2: besides that, there was this, besides the repertoire I was 378 00:25:47,836 --> 00:25:52,636 Speaker 2: playing with Clifford that he and I tried to always 379 00:25:53,076 --> 00:25:56,276 Speaker 2: get closer. So yeah, I think we had a lot 380 00:25:56,356 --> 00:25:56,556 Speaker 2: to do. 381 00:25:57,076 --> 00:26:00,116 Speaker 1: Yeah, do you think they had anything to do with 382 00:26:00,196 --> 00:26:03,036 Speaker 1: you sort of stripping things back and go into like 383 00:26:03,036 --> 00:26:05,716 Speaker 1: that trio format the next year just just you on 384 00:26:05,836 --> 00:26:09,316 Speaker 1: sacks and then bass and drums. Was that related musically all? 385 00:26:10,796 --> 00:26:16,036 Speaker 2: I don't remember when I did the first trio albums that. 386 00:26:15,996 --> 00:26:19,756 Speaker 1: Would fifty around that time, yes, maybe six months later, 387 00:26:19,796 --> 00:26:21,676 Speaker 1: eight months later, it would have been just. 388 00:26:22,036 --> 00:26:26,356 Speaker 2: Yeah, I don't know. If no, I don't believe so, 389 00:26:26,556 --> 00:26:33,596 Speaker 2: because I had always I had always uh enjoyed the 390 00:26:33,636 --> 00:26:41,556 Speaker 2: smaller instrumentation. You know. In fact, when our first met 391 00:26:41,556 --> 00:26:46,676 Speaker 2: Miles Davis, I was playing trio and we were playing 392 00:26:47,516 --> 00:26:51,796 Speaker 2: opposite Miles. You know, Miles was the first Stars and 393 00:26:51,956 --> 00:26:54,916 Speaker 2: we was a local band, and I think I was 394 00:26:54,996 --> 00:26:58,596 Speaker 2: playing trio at that time, So no, I think I 395 00:26:58,676 --> 00:27:04,756 Speaker 2: think the trios I did didn't stem from uh the 396 00:27:04,836 --> 00:27:07,076 Speaker 2: cofored Brown period. 397 00:27:07,756 --> 00:27:10,276 Speaker 1: Were you surprised how curious people found that idea of 398 00:27:10,316 --> 00:27:13,876 Speaker 1: you just playing in that small trio you based drums 399 00:27:13,916 --> 00:27:16,356 Speaker 1: like you did on Way out West or not at 400 00:27:16,356 --> 00:27:16,956 Speaker 1: the vanguard. 401 00:27:17,796 --> 00:27:20,556 Speaker 2: I hope that it would be received Well. 402 00:27:20,316 --> 00:27:22,596 Speaker 1: Well, I think it was. I think it absolutely was. 403 00:27:22,636 --> 00:27:24,076 Speaker 1: I mean, it's it's it's it's. 404 00:27:24,556 --> 00:27:24,796 Speaker 2: Uh. 405 00:27:25,076 --> 00:27:27,636 Speaker 1: Those seemed to have really stood the test of time 406 00:27:27,636 --> 00:27:29,916 Speaker 1: in an incredible way. But it's it's funny also just 407 00:27:30,116 --> 00:27:32,156 Speaker 1: in a way, how curious people find that you know 408 00:27:32,196 --> 00:27:34,556 Speaker 1: that that it's like, oh, whoa, you know, this isn't 409 00:27:34,556 --> 00:27:37,276 Speaker 1: this pianoist trio? You know, it seemed to sort of 410 00:27:38,116 --> 00:27:38,636 Speaker 1: well I. 411 00:27:38,676 --> 00:27:42,676 Speaker 2: Always liked that, and not play was a great piano players, 412 00:27:42,756 --> 00:27:46,356 Speaker 2: So there's no reflection on plane. But I liked the 413 00:27:46,396 --> 00:27:53,756 Speaker 2: idea of just a rhythm section and allowing me to 414 00:27:53,916 --> 00:27:59,116 Speaker 2: sort of be free, in a completely free just compose 415 00:27:59,436 --> 00:28:03,956 Speaker 2: things in my own in my own mind and create 416 00:28:04,076 --> 00:28:10,756 Speaker 2: the harmonies and the musical situations, and just came to me. 417 00:28:11,436 --> 00:28:14,796 Speaker 2: I had a rhythm behind me, I had the base, 418 00:28:14,916 --> 00:28:20,076 Speaker 2: and I had the jums to keep things moving. Yeah, 419 00:28:20,116 --> 00:28:24,676 Speaker 2: and I had the freedom to conceive of all of 420 00:28:24,716 --> 00:28:28,636 Speaker 2: these things. So that's why I liked flying Like that 421 00:28:28,796 --> 00:28:30,596 Speaker 2: had nothing to do with anything else. 422 00:28:31,196 --> 00:28:34,156 Speaker 1: Yeah, got you. There's some wild playing on those records 423 00:28:34,196 --> 00:28:37,516 Speaker 1: from you, some and even some incredible you know, evenm 424 00:28:37,556 --> 00:28:40,476 Speaker 1: other cats you know, like not at the Vanguard. There's 425 00:28:40,516 --> 00:28:43,596 Speaker 1: a couple of basils on that record that are great 426 00:28:43,636 --> 00:28:44,516 Speaker 1: as well. You know. 427 00:28:45,716 --> 00:28:49,556 Speaker 2: Yeah, I tried to get his guys that weren't afraid 428 00:28:49,676 --> 00:28:51,116 Speaker 2: to play without a piano. 429 00:28:51,476 --> 00:28:52,236 Speaker 1: Yeah. 430 00:28:52,396 --> 00:28:54,516 Speaker 2: See, a lot of guys just you know, would be 431 00:28:54,596 --> 00:28:58,156 Speaker 2: reticent to do that. Well they had, you know, because 432 00:28:58,196 --> 00:29:03,676 Speaker 2: the piano flits right in with the with a with 433 00:29:03,916 --> 00:29:08,236 Speaker 2: a base you know, like ham and eggs. 434 00:29:09,276 --> 00:29:11,476 Speaker 1: Yeah, yeah, yeah, they I. 435 00:29:11,396 --> 00:29:16,316 Speaker 2: Mean, yes, oh wow, piano and drums here, base here 436 00:29:16,476 --> 00:29:20,676 Speaker 2: is playing years old they have. You know, those guys 437 00:29:20,716 --> 00:29:23,876 Speaker 2: can wake up in the middle of the night and 438 00:29:24,236 --> 00:29:28,716 Speaker 2: throw him and be writ in tune to the next note. 439 00:29:29,196 --> 00:29:32,956 Speaker 2: So it was something which you know, you're it was 440 00:29:33,116 --> 00:29:35,316 Speaker 2: somewhat of a challenge to them. 441 00:29:35,716 --> 00:29:39,076 Speaker 1: Yeah, it was wilbur Ware by the way, be aware. 442 00:29:39,396 --> 00:29:43,196 Speaker 2: Wilbur Aware. We used to have a joke about Bilber. 443 00:29:43,276 --> 00:29:46,716 Speaker 2: We used to call them wilburgh beware. 444 00:29:50,876 --> 00:29:54,316 Speaker 1: That's great. Alvin Jones also on drums on that just 445 00:29:54,396 --> 00:29:59,756 Speaker 1: so j Yeah, incredible, incredible trio man Man. 446 00:29:59,876 --> 00:30:03,196 Speaker 2: Then I had some other guys on that. On other 447 00:30:03,316 --> 00:30:06,516 Speaker 2: parts of the record, I added a Pete le Roker 448 00:30:07,196 --> 00:30:08,356 Speaker 2: and another guy. 449 00:30:08,396 --> 00:30:10,996 Speaker 3: From UH, Donald Bailey, Baltimore. 450 00:30:11,156 --> 00:30:11,476 Speaker 1: Donald. 451 00:30:11,516 --> 00:30:12,596 Speaker 2: Who is Donald Bailey? 452 00:30:12,996 --> 00:30:15,236 Speaker 1: I can't figure out who is Donald Bailey bass player? 453 00:30:15,236 --> 00:30:17,716 Speaker 1: I know there's a drummer, Donald Bailey, right, But there's 454 00:30:17,716 --> 00:30:20,076 Speaker 1: a drummer Donald Bailey. But is there also But I 455 00:30:20,116 --> 00:30:22,716 Speaker 1: can't find anything out about a bass player. 456 00:30:22,756 --> 00:30:25,436 Speaker 2: Donald Bailey was I know, I know he was very 457 00:30:26,356 --> 00:30:31,596 Speaker 2: under uh that's here for music. Nobody know much about him. 458 00:30:31,996 --> 00:30:32,996 Speaker 1: How did you know him? 459 00:30:33,276 --> 00:30:37,196 Speaker 2: My good friend went to school down there at UH. 460 00:30:38,196 --> 00:30:42,836 Speaker 2: I've watched college. I forget what it was, which is 461 00:30:42,916 --> 00:30:46,196 Speaker 2: you have to forgive me. You know, there's when you 462 00:30:46,316 --> 00:30:51,356 Speaker 2: get he said, he your your your memory, you know, 463 00:30:51,436 --> 00:30:59,116 Speaker 2: your short term memory. It goes, you know, like ten 464 00:30:59,196 --> 00:31:03,076 Speaker 2: minutes from now. But I need it now. But I 465 00:31:03,156 --> 00:31:08,716 Speaker 2: had Oh but anyway, no, he's here. Was very but 466 00:31:09,116 --> 00:31:14,316 Speaker 2: he was known in the area, you know, and he's 467 00:31:14,356 --> 00:31:16,636 Speaker 2: a good player. You know, he played good. I liked 468 00:31:16,716 --> 00:31:17,796 Speaker 2: him on those things. 469 00:31:18,036 --> 00:31:20,436 Speaker 1: I always thought maybe was someone that like just couldn't say, 470 00:31:20,516 --> 00:31:22,996 Speaker 1: like you couldn't say who it was for some contractual 471 00:31:23,076 --> 00:31:26,796 Speaker 1: reason or something, because I was like, good, yeah, I can't. 472 00:31:26,796 --> 00:31:30,876 Speaker 2: Know this guy is I know down really and uh 473 00:31:31,476 --> 00:31:35,716 Speaker 2: unfortunately he passed not too long after those records came out, 474 00:31:36,756 --> 00:31:40,276 Speaker 2: but they did a great, great job over your covering 475 00:31:40,396 --> 00:31:42,156 Speaker 2: me on that. Yeah. 476 00:31:42,196 --> 00:31:44,956 Speaker 1: Absolutely did the record Sonny Side Up that you did 477 00:31:44,996 --> 00:31:48,436 Speaker 1: with Dizzy Gillespie and Sunny Stitt in fifty nine. Oh yeah, 478 00:31:48,556 --> 00:31:49,436 Speaker 1: how did that come together? 479 00:31:49,796 --> 00:31:52,396 Speaker 2: Well? I came together to Norman Grange. 480 00:31:52,716 --> 00:31:54,916 Speaker 1: Okay, of course did you know. 481 00:31:54,836 --> 00:31:56,116 Speaker 2: Who Norman Grande is? 482 00:31:56,676 --> 00:31:58,516 Speaker 1: He did jazz at the Philharmonic, right, you put on 483 00:31:58,516 --> 00:31:59,116 Speaker 1: all those all right? 484 00:31:59,156 --> 00:32:05,756 Speaker 2: So he was promote jazz. Yeah, he did a lot 485 00:32:05,836 --> 00:32:11,476 Speaker 2: of promotion of different people. And his crowned segment was 486 00:32:11,596 --> 00:32:15,196 Speaker 2: judged the poo monic. But he was a big time 487 00:32:15,476 --> 00:32:21,076 Speaker 2: or jazz promoter. He ain't replaying someplace. See, he's got 488 00:32:21,116 --> 00:32:24,876 Speaker 2: to be a big fan of mine. And then he 489 00:32:24,876 --> 00:32:28,596 Speaker 2: he was his date, I mean he arranged a date. 490 00:32:29,516 --> 00:32:33,876 Speaker 2: That's it turned out to be, uh, Sunny and Sunny 491 00:32:33,956 --> 00:32:34,676 Speaker 2: and Dizzy. 492 00:32:34,996 --> 00:32:37,796 Speaker 1: Yeah. Were you friendly with Dizzy at that time or 493 00:32:37,836 --> 00:32:40,036 Speaker 1: did you know him? Decently well at all. 494 00:32:40,716 --> 00:32:43,556 Speaker 2: Yeah, I was friendly with Dizzy. You know, if you 495 00:32:43,716 --> 00:32:46,636 Speaker 2: know Dissy at all, you've got to be friendly with him. 496 00:32:49,316 --> 00:32:52,676 Speaker 2: Just that type of guy he's I mean, he's always 497 00:32:52,716 --> 00:32:59,956 Speaker 2: going to be something light and amusing that becomes part 498 00:33:00,036 --> 00:33:04,516 Speaker 2: of the conversation. And you know, Dissey was a wonderful guy. 499 00:33:04,676 --> 00:33:09,916 Speaker 2: Dissey with the guy that always was teaching people stuff. 500 00:33:10,436 --> 00:33:14,156 Speaker 2: You know, he don't really young Musard should be run 501 00:33:15,236 --> 00:33:18,316 Speaker 2: and he'd come in and you know, they showed to 502 00:33:18,996 --> 00:33:22,756 Speaker 2: get him on the piano and show the piano playing 503 00:33:22,916 --> 00:33:25,916 Speaker 2: some chords and sense chords, you know, stuff like that. 504 00:33:26,956 --> 00:33:30,636 Speaker 2: He was a great natural teacher. I mean, I mean 505 00:33:31,516 --> 00:33:34,556 Speaker 2: he wasn't trying to diminish the gad. I don't mean 506 00:33:34,716 --> 00:33:38,316 Speaker 2: like that. I mean we were happy to have Bisy 507 00:33:38,436 --> 00:33:42,836 Speaker 2: Gillespie there. That that was so you won't he wanted 508 00:33:42,916 --> 00:33:48,436 Speaker 2: to uh to teach, you know, not to dispact the 509 00:33:48,556 --> 00:33:52,156 Speaker 2: other guy at all, not in that sense in the least. 510 00:33:52,876 --> 00:33:55,996 Speaker 2: Just everybody was listening to what he was doing, saying. 511 00:33:55,796 --> 00:33:58,476 Speaker 1: And playing that record some side up was kind of 512 00:33:58,516 --> 00:34:01,636 Speaker 1: an anomaly, I feel like in your catalog at least, 513 00:34:01,636 --> 00:34:03,836 Speaker 1: you know, at the time, it felt maybe much more 514 00:34:03,876 --> 00:34:05,956 Speaker 1: like a dizzy record than anything else, which I think 515 00:34:06,036 --> 00:34:07,756 Speaker 1: is probably only natural. 516 00:34:08,476 --> 00:34:10,596 Speaker 2: I think it it's a dissy records it. 517 00:34:11,156 --> 00:34:12,636 Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean it's kind of like the three of 518 00:34:12,716 --> 00:34:15,676 Speaker 1: you got. I mean, you know it's it's named Sonny Sided. 519 00:34:16,276 --> 00:34:20,276 Speaker 2: I mean there was Busy Gillespie. It was his session. 520 00:34:20,436 --> 00:34:23,236 Speaker 1: I mean yeah, yeah, no, no, no, that's fair, that's fair. 521 00:34:23,516 --> 00:34:24,516 Speaker 1: That's such a cool record. 522 00:34:25,196 --> 00:34:30,876 Speaker 2: Yeah, some people liked it a lot. Some people musicians 523 00:34:32,396 --> 00:34:36,596 Speaker 2: really thought that that was one of my best records. 524 00:34:37,036 --> 00:34:39,236 Speaker 1: Yeah, well you know what, you recorded that fifty seven, 525 00:34:39,316 --> 00:34:43,036 Speaker 1: but it comes out fifty nine. The next year, nineteen sixty, 526 00:34:43,796 --> 00:34:46,916 Speaker 1: Lee Morgan quoted you on a Jazz Messengers record. He 527 00:34:47,036 --> 00:34:51,356 Speaker 1: did your little no no down just they're just this 528 00:34:51,636 --> 00:34:55,596 Speaker 1: little phrase that you do. Oh really and yeah, and 529 00:34:55,676 --> 00:34:57,876 Speaker 1: in Lee quoted you on this song called the Opener 530 00:34:57,996 --> 00:35:00,236 Speaker 1: on a Jazz Messengers record just the next year. 531 00:35:00,316 --> 00:35:04,236 Speaker 2: Oh it's good. Yeah. No, Ley is a great player. Yeah, 532 00:35:04,916 --> 00:35:08,836 Speaker 2: Lay used to come whenever's playing with Matts and Confidence 533 00:35:09,116 --> 00:35:14,476 Speaker 2: Philadelphia at a club there. Lee would come by, you know, 534 00:35:15,116 --> 00:35:18,076 Speaker 2: to hat Clifford. I mean, so that's another. 535 00:35:17,836 --> 00:35:21,476 Speaker 3: Guy, I mean, the young guy that all loved Clifford 536 00:35:21,596 --> 00:35:21,996 Speaker 3: so much. 537 00:35:22,596 --> 00:35:25,316 Speaker 2: So anyway, that's when they met to me. And uh, 538 00:35:26,116 --> 00:35:31,316 Speaker 2: he used to play outside the club with his mouthweist alone. 539 00:35:31,876 --> 00:35:33,996 Speaker 2: He would show me what he could do just playing 540 00:35:34,076 --> 00:35:37,916 Speaker 2: his mouth best. And those life says, they say, hey, man, 541 00:35:38,036 --> 00:35:43,836 Speaker 2: that's good. Yeah, Lee Morgan, I mean, but he's great. Man, 542 00:35:43,956 --> 00:35:45,116 Speaker 2: he's a great player. 543 00:35:45,836 --> 00:35:47,116 Speaker 1: You never got to play with him, did you. 544 00:35:47,516 --> 00:35:50,516 Speaker 2: I don't think so. I don't think so. 545 00:35:50,836 --> 00:35:50,876 Speaker 1: No. 546 00:35:50,996 --> 00:35:54,956 Speaker 2: I think that's one one of the trumble players that 547 00:35:55,116 --> 00:35:55,676 Speaker 2: I missed. 548 00:35:56,156 --> 00:35:57,836 Speaker 1: Would have been great to hear you guys together. 549 00:35:57,956 --> 00:36:02,476 Speaker 2: Man, Yeah, wonder Rogerson must have been a yeah, I'm sure. 550 00:36:03,636 --> 00:36:07,236 Speaker 2: I'm sure I would have been inspired. 551 00:36:07,476 --> 00:36:12,236 Speaker 1: Yeah, yeah, yeah, I'm curious. Is anyone you admire outside 552 00:36:12,276 --> 00:36:13,596 Speaker 1: of jazz in terms of musically? 553 00:36:14,396 --> 00:36:19,596 Speaker 2: Oh? Yeah, I admire all of the great musicians from 554 00:36:19,676 --> 00:36:27,996 Speaker 2: those centuries. I like js Bach, I like Brahms, Debut 555 00:36:28,156 --> 00:36:36,716 Speaker 2: C Revel, I like Fat Swawer, Louis Jordan Korsms my favorite, 556 00:36:36,836 --> 00:36:40,396 Speaker 2: you know, and I like everybody. Yeah, I appreciate all 557 00:36:40,596 --> 00:36:41,396 Speaker 2: kinds of music. 558 00:36:41,996 --> 00:36:44,396 Speaker 1: Do you listen to music at all still? These days? 559 00:36:46,236 --> 00:36:46,716 Speaker 2: Sure? Three? 560 00:36:47,556 --> 00:36:48,796 Speaker 1: What do you what do you listen to? What do 561 00:36:48,796 --> 00:36:49,716 Speaker 1: you enjoy listening to? 562 00:36:49,996 --> 00:36:54,716 Speaker 2: Now? I don't listen to too much music. It's srange. 563 00:36:55,676 --> 00:37:00,436 Speaker 2: I've listened to soul much music in my life. I 564 00:37:00,596 --> 00:37:04,436 Speaker 2: still think music all the time. I'm still playing my horn, 565 00:37:05,236 --> 00:37:08,596 Speaker 2: even though I can't play my own anymore. I'm still 566 00:37:08,956 --> 00:37:13,036 Speaker 2: my imagine in passages that I would be fingering on 567 00:37:13,236 --> 00:37:19,876 Speaker 2: my instrumental, although I can't do that anymore. So now 568 00:37:20,516 --> 00:37:25,356 Speaker 2: listening to music. I love music, and occasionally I get 569 00:37:25,436 --> 00:37:31,116 Speaker 2: to hear music, aren't some of the radio stations I have. 570 00:37:31,396 --> 00:37:34,396 Speaker 2: Or I'll hear some music and I love it. But 571 00:37:34,676 --> 00:37:38,796 Speaker 2: I don't go out to listen to music anymore. I 572 00:37:38,876 --> 00:37:40,756 Speaker 2: don't mean go out in the street. I mean I 573 00:37:40,876 --> 00:37:44,236 Speaker 2: don't seek out music anymore. 574 00:37:44,756 --> 00:37:47,476 Speaker 1: Is it frustrating to hear in a sense since you 575 00:37:47,596 --> 00:37:50,036 Speaker 1: can't you just pick up your horn and play some 576 00:37:50,156 --> 00:37:50,996 Speaker 1: figures or anything. 577 00:37:51,396 --> 00:37:56,196 Speaker 2: To a certain extent, I wouldn't look very completely as frustration, 578 00:37:56,476 --> 00:38:00,596 Speaker 2: but that's part of it, because I hear something and 579 00:38:00,676 --> 00:38:04,476 Speaker 2: I fear what I would be doing what I can do, 580 00:38:06,036 --> 00:38:09,036 Speaker 2: so in a sense I was safe. There's not all 581 00:38:09,156 --> 00:38:15,596 Speaker 2: all frustration because I love music and listening to somebody 582 00:38:16,676 --> 00:38:20,636 Speaker 2: that I admire is great. It's a great feeling. So 583 00:38:22,196 --> 00:38:27,716 Speaker 2: frustration might come a little bit because I should contribute 584 00:38:27,836 --> 00:38:29,796 Speaker 2: being that it was part of. 585 00:38:29,876 --> 00:38:33,716 Speaker 1: Your scene, Sonny it is. It was a pleasure and 586 00:38:33,756 --> 00:38:35,836 Speaker 1: an honor speaking with you. I hope we get to 587 00:38:35,916 --> 00:38:36,356 Speaker 1: do it again. 588 00:38:36,916 --> 00:38:40,476 Speaker 2: Okay, man, take it even God bless you as. 589 00:38:40,356 --> 00:38:47,956 Speaker 1: Well, sir. All right man, Hi bye, Sonny. Thanks to 590 00:38:47,996 --> 00:38:50,876 Speaker 1: Sonny Rollins for taking us back to some of the earliest, 591 00:38:50,996 --> 00:38:55,556 Speaker 1: most important moments in American recorded music history. To hear 592 00:38:55,596 --> 00:38:58,356 Speaker 1: our favorite Sonny Rollins songs, check out the playlist at 593 00:38:58,516 --> 00:39:02,156 Speaker 1: broken Record podcast dot com. Be sure to subscribe to 594 00:39:02,196 --> 00:39:06,156 Speaker 1: our YouTube channel at YouTube dot com slash broken Record Podcast, 595 00:39:06,436 --> 00:39:09,156 Speaker 1: where you can find all of our new episodes. You 596 00:39:09,156 --> 00:39:12,076 Speaker 1: can follow us on Twitter at broken Record. Broken Record 597 00:39:12,156 --> 00:39:15,396 Speaker 1: is produced at help from Leah Rose, Jason Gambrell, Ben Talliday, 598 00:39:15,596 --> 00:39:19,236 Speaker 1: Maeric Sandler, and Jennifer Sanchez, with engineering help from Nick Chafe. 599 00:39:19,956 --> 00:39:23,716 Speaker 1: Our executive producer is Mia Lobel. Broken Record is a 600 00:39:23,796 --> 00:39:26,716 Speaker 1: production of Pushkin Industries. If you like this show and 601 00:39:26,796 --> 00:39:30,876 Speaker 1: others from Pushkin, consider subscribing to Pushkin Plus. Pushkin Plus 602 00:39:30,996 --> 00:39:34,636 Speaker 1: is a podcast subscription that offers bonus content an uninterrupted 603 00:39:34,676 --> 00:39:37,916 Speaker 1: ad free listening for four ninety nine a month. Look 604 00:39:37,956 --> 00:39:41,516 Speaker 1: for Pushkin Plus on Apple Podcasts subscriptions, and if you 605 00:39:41,596 --> 00:39:44,036 Speaker 1: like the show, please remember to share, rate, and review 606 00:39:44,116 --> 00:39:47,036 Speaker 1: us on your podcast app or them us expec Kenny Beats. 607 00:39:47,356 --> 00:39:48,276 Speaker 1: I'm justin Richmond.