Saxophone Colossus
Before John Coltrane and after Ben Webster comes Sonny Rollins. This unparalleled tenor saxophonist, whose career spanned seven decades, crossed paths with the big screen on several occasions. In collaboration with arranger Oliver Nelson, he created the soundtrack for the legendary Alfie, revealing actor Michael Caine to the world. Later, Rollins himself became the subject of a film.
Presented by Jean-Marc Limoges, author, critic, and teacher
Saxophone Colossus is Robert Mugge's dazzling homage to Sonny Rollins, the man some have called “the greatest improviser in the history of jazz.” Part one of the film was shot in August 1986 primarily at Opus 40, a sculptured rock quarry in upstate New York where Rollins performs brilliantly, despite a bizarre accident which occurs midway through his set. Part two of the film documents the world premiere in Tokyo of Concerto for Tenor Saxophone and Orchestra, a major new work composed by Rollins himself and arranged and orchestrated by Heikki Sarmanto.
