I found this article on Sunny Rollins very inspirational:


AGE can be unkind enough to musicians just in physical terms. Then there is what Sonny Rollins refers to as "the burden of experience", which must be a substantial weight, given that the saxophonist is now 80. But for Rollins, one of the most important players in jazz history, age is like a difficult melodic figure, just another obstacle in the quest for musical perfection.

"I've had some constraints of that sort," he says on the telephone from New Orleans, the day after performing there. "But I don't let things like that affect me. I do something else. It's like a baseball pitcher who used to be a fastball pitcher, then when he gets older he becomes what we call a junk-ball pitcher: he throws all different kinds of pitches that he's learnt will be effective. So I don't let things like that impede my progress. I'm a great believer in mind over matter. I practise my instrument every day, I'm writing music. I always want to do better. But I just feel that there's no time now not to do better. I have to do better."

About to make his second visit to Australia, Rollins oozes old-world graciousness, even if his voice now finally betrays the passing years. The fact that he has outlived nearly all of his peers and has been at the forefront of jazz for 60 years has created a colossal reputation that could be another weight, a luxury, or an irrelevancy to him.

Great post, Paul.

Having had the honor of an afternoon arranger clinic with the late, great, Oscar Peterson, I can attest to his similar attitude to Sonny's...Oscar was forever fascinated and appreciative of technology, but he still exuded the same "old world" graciousness that Sonny shows.

I saw a recent video clip about Sonny (it might have been posted here) that illustrated his views on life and music.

A great man, and a legendary player.

Ian

Paul, thanks for the tidbit on Rollins...one of the greats, and one of my all-time favorites.


R.

The man is a living legend and he is definitely not resting on his laurels. He is still trying to improve!

Mr. Rollins shares what music 'is about' for him.
Nothing about making $ or how many gigs he's got.
We can all learn from him.

Sonny Rollins Speaks! :

I guess so if your into jazz...not all people are.

Scott,

Those of us who play simply for the love of playing, never really get rich, although, as they say, "Do what you love, and the money will come".

Doesn't matter if it's Jazz, Pop, Country, Latin...whatever.

I just want enough money to survive. Playing has never been about the money.

Sonny's philosophy is simple, and, it works, but, you already know that.

Ian

Ian, well said !

I see your point, however considering he's 80 years old and is a icon (in the jazz world) and he is still trying to improve his art, I'd would say was inspirational. It wouldn't matter to me if he was a rocker,country artist or polka player, I get inspired by people that seek continued self improvement.

Everyone in music is inspired by many different things as is what creating music is all about...it's is how you perceive and absorb then through that be able to accomplish great things.