Sonny Rollins

American jazz tenor saxophonist born September 7, 1930, Harlem, New York City, New York, USA; died May 25, 2026, in Woodstock, New York (age 95). Made his first recordings in 1949 with Babs Gonzales. Widely recognized as one of the most important and influential jazz musicians, he worked with Miles Davis, Art Taylor, J.J. Johnson, Bud Powell, and Thelonious Monk. He was a recipient of the prestigious Polar Music Prize in May, 2007. In March 2011, he received the National Medal Of Arts from President Barack Obama. Rollins was the uncle of hip hop artist Tommy Gunn. Winner of two Grammy Awards: - Best Jazz Instrumental Album, Individual or Group for 918972 in 2001. - Best Jazz Instrumental Solo for Why Was I Born? on 772440 in 2006. - And Grammy Award for lifetime achievement in 2004.