Legendary jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins has died at the age of 95, marking the end of a towering career that helped shape the sound of modern jazz.
Rollins passed away Monday afternoon at his home in Woodstock, New York, according to his representative Terri Hinte. A cause of death was not immediately released.
Widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians in jazz history, Rollins built a legacy across more than seven decades, earning recognition for his powerful tenor saxophone sound and groundbreaking improvisation style. He was often mentioned alongside giants such as Charlie Parker and John Coltrane as a defining figure of the bebop era.
During his career, Rollins recorded more than 60 albums, including landmark projects like Saxophone Colossus (1956), Way Out West (1957), and The Bridge (1962), which remain essential listening in jazz music.
Even after decades in the spotlight, Rollins continued performing and touring into the 1990s and 2000s before retiring in 2014 due to health issues.
His contributions to music earned him numerous honors, including three Grammy Awards and the Kennedy Center Honors. He was also recognized by former President Barack Obama, who awarded him the National Medal of Arts and later celebrated him as a Kennedy Center Honoree at the White House in 2011.
Rollins’ passing closes a monumental chapter in American music history, leaving behind a legacy that continues to influence generations of musicians worldwide.#newsafro_
