Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on September 2010

Courtesy of Kyodo

Compared to another recent visitor—85-year-old drummer Roy Haynes—Sonny Rollins is a mere whippersnapper: the sax colossus arrives in Tokyo this week to celebrate his 80th birthday. Along with John Coltrane and Ornette Coleman, Rollins defined the modern jazz saxophone in the ’50s and ’60s, rolling out monster stream-of-consciousness improvisations that could stretch as long as 20 minutes. Like Haynes, whom he recently joined at a birthday concert in New York, Rollins remains in fine form, the result of a lifetime of personal discipline and an interest in Eastern religion.

Sonny Rollins
Legendary saxman celebrates his 80th birthday. Oct 4, 7pm, ¥9,000-¥10,000. JCB Hall, Korakuen; Oct 7, 7pm, ¥9,000-¥10,000. Tokyo International Forum Hall A, Yurakucho. Tel: Kyodo 03-3498-9999.