We continue now listening to the “session reel” (the unedited recordings, in order) from the only studio meeting of Sonny Rollins and pianist Sonny Clark.
For what it’s worth, I saw Rollins with Sonny Clark on piano in concert at NYU’s Loeb Theater in the early ‘60s. I think it was a quartet, but don’t remember anything else.
Lewis, thanks so much. I had not checked out the prior two sessions, but got into this one. What a great fit and Newk and Sonny both storming. Wonderful, refreshing reminder. Cheers.
This wasn't Sonny's only delving into the Al Jolson Song Book, he recorded "Sonny Boy" for Prestige and "Rockabye Your Baby With A Dixie Melody" for Contemporary. Why didn't he do a "Sonny Rollins plays Al Jolson" album?
That's a fun version of Chopsticks--it's actually a very easy and natural chord sequence to improvise on--Paul Smith accompanied Ella for years of course--Thanks again.
For what it’s worth, I saw Rollins with Sonny Clark on piano in concert at NYU’s Loeb Theater in the early ‘60s. I think it was a quartet, but don’t remember anything else.
Wow--that's amazing. THANK YOU MICHAEL for letting us know!
Lewis, thanks so much. I had not checked out the prior two sessions, but got into this one. What a great fit and Newk and Sonny both storming. Wonderful, refreshing reminder. Cheers.
THANK YOU ZAN!
This wasn't Sonny's only delving into the Al Jolson Song Book, he recorded "Sonny Boy" for Prestige and "Rockabye Your Baby With A Dixie Melody" for Contemporary. Why didn't he do a "Sonny Rollins plays Al Jolson" album?
Ha ha--good point and a cool idea--THANK YOU
If he improvised on Chopsticks it would sound great
Ha ha--true!
https://youtu.be/fyvDL6-ItmU?si=_x9JpTHNHOGXopZG
That's a fun version of Chopsticks--it's actually a very easy and natural chord sequence to improvise on--Paul Smith accompanied Ella for years of course--Thanks again.